‘We belong in classrooms, not in mandaps’: Teacher inspires Kurnool tribal hamlet to reject child marriage

Tirupati: A remote tribal hamlet in Kurnool district has set a historic precedent, which is drawing widespread praise from officials and social activists alike.In a rare collective move, the residents of JM thanda in Pathikonda mandal unanimously passed a resolution on Wednesday to eradicate child marriage from their village. At the heart of this social transformation is M Kalyani, a school teacher, who has been working in the village for the past eight years.JM thanda has been infamous for a high number of child marriages, with many girls dropping out of school and being forced into early wedlocks.But, Kalyani resolved to spark a mindset shift. She began visiting every household to educate families on the legal marriageable age — 18 for girls and 21 for boys — and even sacrificed her summer vacation to sustain the campaign’s momentum.Through door-to-door awareness drives, distributing pamphlets on the severe health risks that come with early pregnancies, and organising rallies with her students, Kalyani systematically dismantled age-old justifications for child marriage. She paid special attention to adolescents, guiding them through sensitive discussions about how early infatuation and premature marriages could permanently derail their future.The visual landscape of JM thanda now mirrors this profound shift. Front doors of houses with teenage children proudly display posters reading, “We are far from child marriages... Our home has children of school-going age, not marriageable age”. Inspired by their teacher, the youngsters proclaim that they belong in the classroom, not a wedding mandap.This relentless grassroots campaigning culminated in a grand community meeting on Wednesday, where village elders and residents formally resolved never to marry off their children before they reach the legal age. Expressing pride, Somla Nayak, the village head and district president of the Tribal Banjara Association, acknowledged that, while child marriages occurred earlier due to a lack of awareness, the village now recognises the severe consequences and stands united to protect the future of its youth.Medical officer Dr Raghava Naidu underscored the critical importance of the village’s decision, noting that early marriage and adolescent pregnancies cause severe, sometimes life-threatening health complications for young girls, making community-led eradication the most effective remedy.Following the landmark resolution, emotional scenes unfolded at the village centre as residents and alumni gathered to felicitate Kalyani. Honouring her with traditional shawls and garlands, former students described her not merely as a teacher who delivered classroom lessons, but as a true life guide who altered the trajectory of their community.