After a gap of nearly 64 years, the INC party has fielded Tharahai Cuthbert as its second woman candidate to contest from Colachel Assembly constituency. She follows the footsteps of late Indian National Congress (INC) leader Lourdammal Simon, who had contested from this segment.

Ms. Simon, who won in 1957 elections from the constituency, went on to become the State’s first woman minister to be inducted into the Cabinet of late Chief Minister K. Kamaraj. She served as the Minister of Local Administration and Fisheries. 

Born in Manakudy, a coastal village along the Arabian Sea of Kanniyakumari district, Ms. Simon was the one who brought Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), a freshwater fish species to Tamil Nadu, to promote fish farming, aimed at boosting the local economy. Even today in some parts of the State, the fish is colloquially referred to as ‘Lourdu Meen’.

Vareethiah Konstantine, retired Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, St. Jude’s College, Thoothoor said that two of Ms. Simon’s major interventions in the fishing sector were the introduction of tilapia farming in Tamil Nadu, and mechanisation of fishing boats, with a particular focus in Kanniyakumari district. 

Mr. Konstantine explained that, “Tilapia being a fast-growing fish and a rich source of protein, was introduced for the benefit of inland fishermen. At the same time, boats were mechanised for the benefit of coastal fishermen.”

He added that she also had a major role in introducing nylon fishing nets in Tamil Nadu. Earlier fishermen were using cotton fibre nets, which are extremely heavy when soaked in water and were of high maintenance.

“People in the Kanniyakumari region had a myth that fish caught in a nylon net will not be as tasty as one caught in cotton fibre nets. However, she explained the benefits of these nets across villages,” Mr. Konstantine noted.

Despite bringing some significant developments to the fishing sector, Ms. Simon was defeated in the 1962 elections, in the same Colachel Assembly constituency.

Mr. Konstantine says her defeat may have been partly due to the very projects she implemented. “In case of mechanisation, not all the boats were upgraded at the same time. As a result people using traditional country boats were affected, since those with mechanised boats had significantly larger catches,” he said.

Mr. Konstantine added that many fishermen were unable to foresee the long-term benefits and initiatives.

The constituency has remained a stronghold of INC in Kanniyakumari district,with the voters electing INC candidates nine times from Colachel, since 1957.

Ms. Cuthbert, the incumbent MLA of Vilavancode constituency and current candidate for Colachel constituency, also comes from a fisher community background like Ms. Simon. Her candidature in Colachel is seen as an advantage, as it is expected to provide stronger representation for the fisher community, which forms a significant portion of the electorate, and it also addresses a prolonged demand of fishermen families in the region, seeking fair representation from the community.

Ms. Cuthbert told The Hindu that her focus would be on development of the constituency, particularly by creating employment opportunities for women. She added that a fish storage facility would be established, enabling value added processing and generating jobs. “If elected, as the representative from the constituency, I would focus of development of all sections of society, based on their needs and demands,” Ms. Cuthbert noted.