From running a small neighbourhood unit in 2004 to an Amritha Nutrimix unit with a turnover of ₹2.5 crore today, M.V. Bhagirathi has indeed come a long way. She was among the 28 women from the Kudumbasree network across the State who narrated inspiring stories of overcoming steep odds at Prathidhwani, a talk show, here on Wednesday.

Some of the women, like Bindu Wilson, a community counsellor, had been part of the Kudumbasree for long while others like Prasanna Kumari were recent entrants. But the common thread running through their lives was how Kudumbasree opened a door of opportunities for them, motivating them, and honing their innate talents.

Many odds

These women have overcome many odds – Prasanna Kumari belonged to an impoverished family, while T.T. Ramla of Wayanad got married at the age of 15, and Bindu Wilson’s husband was paralysed.

The support from Kudumbasree helped them overcome these challenges and face life with confidence.

Bhagirathi who was a postgraduate when she joined Kudumbasree has now registered for her PhD, while Ramla, who could not even complete her class 10, is a postgraduate in psychology and became a district panchayat standing committee chairperson.

Besides being a gender resource person, Bindu is also a community counsellor who helps other women to emerge stronger from their circumstances.

Besides gaining from the Kudumbasree network, the women have given back to society and the network and inspired others to dream and succeed.

Ramla’s microenterprise has grown to 15 women and she designs clothes and is planning to go online soon.

Bindu launched a two-wheeler army of women to provide the elderly in her area support such as taking them to hospital or going to the market for them and also a blood donation group.

Aji, another Kudumbasree member who is a municipal councillor today, works in palliative care, associates with the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad on environment issues, and is a Nirbhaya gender team member. Bhagirathi has developed a software for handling accounts of the Nutrimix units in the district, and conducts classes across the State to inspire other women to start Nutrimix units.

Prasanna Kumari wants to teach girls from poor families so that they can stand on their own feet, like she did.

The women, each with their unique story, are a testament to the difference Kudumbasree has made in lifting women from poverty to becoming leaders, capable of initiating more change.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Staff Reporter / Thiruvananthapuram – March 22nd, 2018