Cherupoika

Cherupoika is a small village in Kerala state of India. It is situated west side of Puthoor and in Kottarakkara taluk, district of Kollam and on the banks of Kallada river.

Etymology

Name is derived from Cheru (small) and poika (lake).

Economy

This small village is mainly depending agriculture. The area was covered with paddy fields,but now most of the paddy fields are badly damaged due to mining of clay for brick units and disappearing the agriculture tradition. Old paddy fields are now big ponds and totally this area is converted a big lake. Near future the area will be facing other big problem for unemployment, because of the shortage of clay for brick factories. Returning to agriculture tradition is never possible because of severe damage of paddy fields and shortage of ground water Now the economy of this area is depending bricks manufacturing units.

Manpower

Scarcity of workers in this area attracts many workers from other states like West Bengal, Bihar etc. This outside workers making social imbalance in this area. So many youths going outside the state and overseas, mainly Middle East for seeking good jobs. Women are a work force in this area and they are working in brick factories and cashew factories located in and around Puthur.

Environmental problems

Also the inhabitants of this area is facing many environmental hazards mainly of the shortage of drinking water. Alcoholism is a main reason for social backwardness.

Education facilities

Only two schools are working in this area Vanivila Govt L.P.S, and Govt. L.P.S Cherupoika. Now one new private school is working temporarily in this area Sree Hari Vidya Niketan. There is no major education institutions and pupils are going outside for studies. Nearest upper primary, high school, T.T.I and V.H.S.C is K.N.N.M.M Schools Pavithreswaram.

Religion

Most of the inhabitants are Hindus, but minority Christians and Hindus living harmoniously. Cherupoika Sreekrishna Swamy temple is the main worshipping center for Hindus. This temple is located near the banks of the river. Two Christian churches are located.

Infrastructure and facilities

A small canal is connecting the lake to Kallada river. Nearly a bridge is constructed to connect two sides of this area, and this makes transporting possible. Now too many buses passing through this area to connect nearest places, but unfortunately the roads in this area are severely damaged due to the lack of maintenance. Two roads are passing through, Puthoor-Pazhavara-Cherupoika-Pavithreswaram via Kollam and Puthoor-S.N Puram-Pannikkuzhi via Kallada. This area is under the administration of Pavithreswaram panchayath and Pavithreswaram village, but there is no govt.offices in this area. One post-office (E.D.D.A) is working here. Nearest market is Puthoor nearly five kilometers. This beautiful area can attract tourists to this area, but infrastructure and facilities are not allowing this. Nobody taping this natural beauty as a tourist spot.