RESEARCH AREA

71

PROFILE OF THE PROFILE OF THE PROFILE OF THE PROFILE OF THE

RESEARCH AREARESEARCH AREARESEARCH AREARESEARCH AREA

RESEARCH AREA

72

“When we know what we want to “When we know what we want to “When we know what we want to “When we know what we want to

prove, we go out and find our facts. prove, we go out and find our facts. prove, we go out and find our facts. prove, we go out and find our facts.

They are always there.”They are always there.”They are always there.”They are always there.”

----Pearl S. BuPearl S. BuPearl S. BuPearl S. Buckckckck

RESEARCH AREA

73

3.1. Introduction

India has an extremely rich history, a story that has all the

ingredients of romance, valor, sacrifice, enterprise and success. It is a land

where all the major religions of the world mingle harmoniously. India is

also a haven for food lovers it offers exotic varieties of mouth watering

RESEARCH AREA

74

cuisines. It is a country, which is home alike to tribal with its anachronistic

lifestyle and sophisticated urban jetsetter, a country, which embraces

diversity as passionately as very few other countries in the world could.

RESEARCH AREA

75

In India, Tamil Nadu takes the southern most corner of the nation

and is supposed to be the most powerful state with respect to politics,

cinema and probably every field. Tamil nadu also keeps progressing

continuously despite its many shortcomings like female infanticide, theft,

rape bribery, etc. (Maps of India. com, 2010).

3.2. Geographical location of Thoothukudi district

The district of Thoothukudi is situated in the extreme south-eastern

corner of Tamil Nadu state. It is bounded on the north by the districts of

Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram, on the east and south-

east by Gulf of Mannar and on the west and south-west by the district of

Tirunelveli. Total area of this district is 4621 sq. kms and the administrative

RESEARCH AREA

76

headquarters is an urban agglomeration and also one of the taluk

headquarters within the district. Thoothukudi also known as Tuticorin is a

city and a municipality in Thoothukudi district in the Indian state of Tamil

Nadu. The city is also known as "Pearl City". It is a seaport which serves

southern Tamil Nadu including the inland cities of Coimbatore, Madurai

and Tirunelveli.

Populations as per 2001 census

1. Male 766823 49% 2. Female 805450 51%

Total 1572273

3. Sex Ratio 1050/1000

ii) Urban – Rural Population

Sl.No. Area Total

1. Rural 907500

2. Urban 664773

(Shankar R., 2010).

3.3. Working women in Thoothukudi

Thoothukudi is a district that is fast developing with its varied

industries and job offers open to both men and women. Since it is only a

developing district, the attitude of women going to work and the way they

RESEARCH AREA

77

are treated in their work place is not often noticeably good, although we

have to accept the exceptions. Hence this study helped throw light on

many aspects that have been so long ignored and paid very little attention.

Thoothukudi has on the whole 14 major industries and 2370

registered small scale industries. In many industries, women were usually

paid lesser than men and were not treated well. But, due to the societal

background, many women are seeking jobs to be of help to their families

and are unable to quit the job easily. It is thus clear that sexual harassment

is prevailing almost inevitably in every workplace, affecting the health of

the victims both physically and psychologically. But, the awareness

regarding the crime is very poor. This is because most women want to keep

it a secret for fear of stigmatization by others. So in most cases, the crime

goes unnoticed and uncomplained. This as a result, encourages the

harassers and puts the victims into deeper stress and strain.

3.4. Attractions in Thoothukudi District

Thoothukudi, Tiruchendur, Manapad, Kalugumalai, Ottapidaram

Ettayapuram, Panchalankurichi, Nava Thiruppathi, Korkai, Athichanallur,

VanchiManiyachi.

RESEARCH AREA

78

Area 4,621 sq. km

Forest Land 11,012 Hectares

Latitude 8.72° N

Longitude 78.12° E

Population (2001) 15, 65,743

Population

density 339 (Per sq. km.)

Sex Ratio 1049 females per 1000

males

Literacy Rate 87%

No. of Sub-

Division 03

No. of Tehsil 08

No. of Villages 468

Temperature Max.: 40.5° C; Min.:

18.4° C

STD Code 0461

(Tamil naduonline.in, 2010).

Major Industries

Port Trust SIPCOT

Heavy Water Plant STERLITE

Other Major Industries :

RESEARCH AREA

79

SPIC Thermal Power Station

TAC Dharangadhara Chemical Works

Kilburn Chemicals Madura Coats

Ramesh Flowers Nila Sea Food

Loyal Textiles Ltd. Transworld Granite Industries

(http://www.thoothukudi.tn.nic.in/, 2010).

3.5. OVERVIEW OF THE INDUSTRIAL SCENARIO

SNAP SHOT INDUSTRIALVISTAS

Existing Industrial Scenario Emerging Industrial Scenario

1. Chemical Industries 1.Marine Chemicals

2. Readymade Garment 2.Salt Based Products

3. Safety Matches 3.Fly Ash Bricks Industries

4. Textile 4.Floriculture

5. Spinning Mills 5.Sea Food Processing

6. Salt Industry 6.Spice/spice based products

7. Boat making (traditional) 7.Oleoresin/Spice oils

8. Edible Oil 8.Pharmaceuticals

9. Rice Milling 9.Dairy Development

10. Bakery Products 10.Mineral Based Industries

11. Fish Processing Industry 11.Software and Information

RESEARCH AREA

80

Technology

12. Fruit and Vegetable

processing Industries

13. Palmyrah Based Products

14. Solar Equipments (None

Conventional energy)

15. Energy Foods

16. Cattle/Poultry Feed

17. Rubber and Plastic based

Products

18. Cashewnut based products

19. Cold Storage

20. Mechanised production of

Safety Matches

3.6. ANALYSIS OF THE INDUSTRIAL POTENTIALITIES OF THE DISTRICT

3.6.1. Strengths

� Concentration of vast maritime resourced

� Area under cashew cultivation is increased

� Good infrastructure facilities

RESEARCH AREA

81

� Productivity of horticultural (Banana) crops were increased by

manifold

� Commercial crop, chilies, coriander cultivated in more areas

� Availability of more labour force.

� Availability of Minerals and other raw materials.

3.6.2. Weaknesses

� No specialized banks for SSI Sector

� Low rainfall and dry tract

� Less number of industrial estates

� Backwardness

� Lack of Entrepreneurship

3.6.3. Opportunities

� Farming sector, Poultry, Dairy and Goat farming have immense

scope

� Seafood industry, Floriculture,

� Readymade garments, meat processing industry offer good

Investment opportunities.

� Byproducts of large scale units offer scope for down stream

industries

� Limestone deposits offer scope for mini cement plant

RESEARCH AREA

82

� Immense Scope for Salt Based Industries.

� Immense Scope for Fly Ash Bricks Industries.

3.6.4. Threats

� Agriculture has become a costly activity without much profit

� Textile industry passing through worst crisis

� Concentration of more chemical industries may pose health

environmental pollution (District profile, 2010).

3.6.5. Sample

The samples for the present research were selected from these

industrial areas since Thoothukudi is an emerging industrial town with the

women work force constantly increasing.