Chempadu
Chempadu is a hamlet in Radhapuram Taluk, Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, southern India.
Chempadu is soaked in red soil and scattered with palm trees. The little pond (Paadu) at the eastern side of the village is popular among the neighbouring villagers as it sustains summer and supplies water for the cattle population. It is from this pond the village got its name Chempadu, "Chem" meaning red as in the soil, "Paadu" meaning pond.
Mr. Devarajan, who is fondly called Seeni, is the father of the village. He was the first elected Member for the Panchayat from Chempadu. Being a philanthropist, he introduced electricity, all season road, piped water and public radio. Recently he donated land for the nursery school on which the government has built the Balvadi School.
Most Chempadu residents are farmers, though some have entered the service sector as lawyers, engineers, teachers, and police officers. Women often work as beedi rollers. Chempadu has been a longstanding source of palm products like palm leaf and palm wood, and was well known for export-quality palm candy.
Most villagers are Hindu; a few are Roman Catholic. Though the Christians are the minority, they are the original inhabitants of this village and hold a majority of the land in and around the village. Our Lady of Lourdes and Aiyya Vaikunda Sami are the patron saints of Chempadu.