Yadhu-X
Language, identity, place, home: these are all of a piece – just different elements of belonging and not-belonging. — Jhumpa Lahiri
For anyone from Yanam, there is no escape from thinking about the place and its paradoxes. Geographically nestled within Andhra Pradesh, it is administratively a part of Puducherry, and has a 200-year history of French rule. These layers of identity lend a distinct character to the place and a host of dilemmas for its people.
Let me start with the simple matter of a school certificate. Here, some schools issue two different study certificates — one listing the student as being from Yanam, the other certifying the same student as hailing from Andhra Pradesh. While this flexibility might help students navigate some hurdles, it reflects the identity crisis that Yanam endures.
The region exists in abeyance, belonging to neither Andhra Pradesh nor Puducherry in any meaningful way. It shows in terms of political representation too. Along with Mahe, Karaikal, and Puducherry, Yanam shares a single Member of Parliament. This MP, based in Puducherry, is practically inaccessible to Yanam’s residents. For most people here, voicing their concerns in Parliament is a Herculean task. Consequently, Yanam’s issues remain unheard and unaddressed.
Take healthcare. For serious medical needs, people have no choice but to travel to Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. While a JIPMER multi-specialty unit has been set up in Yanam, it struggles due to staff shortages. Without adequate number of doctors and medical personnel, the facility is barely functional, forcing residents to rely on distant cities for even basic healthcare.
The disconnect between priorities and actual needs became glaringly evident during a recent trip. While waiting at a bus stop along National Highway 216, traveling from Yanam to Hyderabad, I was appalled by the surroundings—dirt, trash, and unhygienic conditions everywhere. This stop, a critical hub for travelers, appeared utterly neglected. What made the scene even more ironic were the countless banners glorifying political and cinema personalities, displayed with great fanfare. It was disheartening to witness so much effort directed toward celebrating individuals, while basic sanitation, an issue that impacts everyone, was ignored. This misplaced focus reflects a broader problem in both governance and public consciousness.
A significant blow to Yanam was the closure of Regency Ceramics Limited and its associated engineering college. These institutions had once been pillars of employment and education for the local community, offering opportunities to many. However, the combination of riots and administrative mismanagement ultimately led to their shutdown. Despite years of lobbying, broken promises, and false hope, the factory has yet to reopen in Yanam.
In September 2024, Regency Ceramics announced a structured takeover of Segno Ceramics in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh. However, with no real progress on reopening the plant, the situation remains mired in blame games and speculation, leaving the local residents disillusioned and unemployed.
Yanam’s struggles are compounded by stereotypes propagated in the media. Instead of focusing on its challenges or uniqueness, Yanam is often reduced to a caricature—a place known for cheap liquor and petrol. This shallow portrayal adds insult to injury.
As someone who calls this place home, I feel the weight of these issues deeply. What’s happening in Yanam is a microcosm of the challenges faced by India’s Union Territories: lack of autonomy, inadequate resources, and systemic neglect. Yanam deserves healthcare that works, education that empowers, jobs that sustain, and representation that gives it a voice in the democracy it belongs to. It’s time to demand more—not just for Yanam, but for all regions caught in the shadows of larger political identities.
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