Complaints about irregular bus services ripple through the crowd, with frustration mounting. Amid this, a calm yet commanding figure, K Govindaswamy, steps forward.
Dressed modestly in brown pants and white shirt, the 56-year-old man begins pondering a solution for the upset villagers.
A month ago, Govindaswamy, locally known as the palkarar (milkman), stood in the forefront leading 35 students to the district collector's office to submit a petition seeking better bus services for the village, especially for the school and college students; a proposal suggested by Bobby Kathiravan, local councillor.
"There are more than 100 students on the route leading to our village, who are studying in various schools and colleges in Vellore. They are forced to walk about 8 kilometres from Otteri, carrying their bags, as there are no direct buses available.
Some students take an alternative shorter route from Adukkamparai, which is still a 5-kilometre walk from our village. Parents always remain worried about their children's commute, especially during the rains," said Govindaswamy.
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