Meet Perumal: Panchayat vice president in Tamil Nadu, daily wage labourer in Kerala

Thrissur: A 65-year-old daily wage worker in Thrissur, R. Perumal leads a dual life. In his native Tamil Nadu, he serves as the vice president of the P. Quilam village panchayat in Thiruvannamalai district. Perumal, often seen with a spade and machete in hand, has made a great impact on his local community.

Having lived in Thrissur for 13 years, Perumal supports his family through various daily wage jobs. Back home, he has earned a strong reputation, which has contributed to his election as a panchayat member for a second consecutive term.

With little educational background, Perumal began his political journey at just 12 years old, aligning himself with the DMK party. He moved to Thrissur with his wife, Chinnapullai, in search of better work opportunities. They live in a small rented house near Sitaram Mill, along with their second son Rajendran and his wife Devi. Rajendran also works as a daily wage labourer, while Chinnapullai and Devi manage household duties.

When Panchayat meetings are scheduled, President R. Srinivasan informs Perumal two days in advance. He travels to Salem by train and then by bus to attend. Known for his approachable nature, Perumal actively engages with the community, seeking solutions to their problems and ensuring they receive necessary financial assistance.

His guiding principle in life is to maintain honesty in both his profession and politics, which has earned him a good reputation in both states. His children, Selvarani and Sankar, live in Tamil Nadu, where they have a modest house on a five-cent plot.