The Hold of Tradition
In this issue
When I first visited Alavilampatti, I was amazed to see how strictly people follow tradition. For the past 700 years, the people in the village strictly honour a tradition of not drinking alcohol. The rules and regulations and the punishment enforced on offenders, prompted a friend to remark that Alavilampatti resembles a "Nazi concentration camp!"
In one sense, it certainly seems so. But when I talked to the women about the benefits of living in an alcohol free village, I realised how safe women felt. Women felt free to go out alone at any time, there were no quarrels in the family, husbands did not beat their wives, and the family had enough money which they spent on children's education and buying things for the household.
Our cover story provides glimpses into life at Alavilampatti: the hold of tradition, even in modern times. Liane Reichl from Germany who did the cover story said she was surprised to find people respecting tradition when all around there is so much dilution of traditional values. Can the experience at Alavilampatti be introduced elsewhere? May be not, but even then it is something to think about. We need to retain, preserve, and cherish certain positive aspects of tradition. What we must reject is holding on to unreasonable aspects of tradition that prevent human growth and progress.
Before I sign off, Sivakasi Times wishes readers a wonderful 2008!
