https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Vadivel_GopalVadivel Gopal - Revision history2026-10-25T00:29:12ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vadivel_Gopal&diff=543289&oldid=prevRitesh Gandhi: creating stub!2026-04-19T16:35:44Z<p>creating stub!</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian snake expert and conservationist}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2025}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Vadivel Gopal<br />
| image = Vadivel_Gopal_(cropped).jpg<br />
| caption = <br />
| occupation = Snake catcher<br>Conservationist<br />
| known_for = Traditional snake catching for antivenom production<br />
| partner = <br />
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] (2023)<br />
}}<br />
'''Vadivel Gopal''' is an Indian snake catcher from the [[Irula tribe]] of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref name="PIB2023">{{Cite web |title=Padma Awards 2023 announced |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1893797 |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> He is known for his expertise in catching venomous snakes, used for production of life-saving [[antivenom]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srimathi |first=Geetha |date=2023-02-02 |title=Bravehearts Vadivel and Sadaiyan shine a light for Irula cooperative |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/bravehearts-vadivel-and-sadaiyan-shine-a-light-for-irula-cooperative/article66464742.ece |access-date=2025-06-15 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN}}</ref> Along with his long-time collaborator [[Masi Sadaiyan]], he was awarded the [[Padma Shri]], India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2023 for his contributions to social work in the field of healthcare.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chaitanya |first=SV Krishna |date=2023-01-28 |title=Irula Padma Shri awardees in TN caught in trap |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2023/Jan/27/irula-padma-shri-awardees-in-tn-caught-intrap-2541770.html |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><br />
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Gopal is a member of the [[Irula Snake Catchers' Industrial Cooperative Society]], which plays a vital role in supplying venom to laboratories across India that produce antivenom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vadivel Gopal and Masi Sadaiyan From the Irula Tribe Won the Padma Shri. Only Calling Them 'Snake Catchers' Reinforces Caste Stereotypes. |url=https://www.theswaddle.com/vadivel-gopal-and-masi-sadaiyan-from-the-irula-tribe-won-the-padma-shri-only-calling-them-snake-catchers-reinforces-caste-stereotypes |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=www.theswaddle.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2017, Gopal traveled with Sadaiyan to [[Florida]], United States, to help train local wildlife officials in catching invasive [[Burmese pythons]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=The Indian tribesmen catching giant snakes in Florida |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-38794352 |access-date=2025-06-15 |work=BBC News |language=en}}</ref><br />
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== See also ==<br />
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* [[Masi Sadaiyan]]<br />
* [[Irula people]]<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Social Work}}<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gopal, Vadivel}}<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:Indian conservationists]]<br />
[[Category:People from Tamil Nadu]]<br />
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in social work]]<br />
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]<br />
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]</div>Ritesh Gandhi