| Kudumbasree Ayalkoottams, Aranmula, Pathanamthitta |
|
Download Database of featured talents. (Excel file) |
Without in any way neglecting their duties at home as wives and mothers, 400-odd women of 19 Kudumbasree Ayalkoottams in Aranmula are engaged in animal husbandry, vegetable farming, paddy cultivation, managing provision stores and hotels and retail marketing that promise them financial empowerment and social commitment. And their self-confidence is a role model for others.
The most notable of their forays was the venture into near-extinct paddy cultivation. The full-fledged functioning of the Kudumbasree units was made possible during the last 3 years under the overall initiative and financial assistance of Central Bank of India’s Aranmula branch, which had disbursed a sum of Rs.2 crores to the Ayalkoottams.
“I really appreciate their commitment towards their assignment and the timely repayment of loans,’ said Mohandas, the Branch Manager. The bank extended loans to them for other purposes like construction of houses for the homeless and repair of houses, in the light of the courage shown by these women to face challenges, he said.
The Kudumbasree Unit of Ezhikad, one of the largest Harijan colonies of the district, has been engaged in animal husbandry, managing provision stores and vegetable cultivation. According to Santhamma, the Panchayat level coordinator of Kudumbasree units, this has brought about a change in the outlook of Harijans about life. She attributes a success of their ventures to the technical inputs of the Kudumbasree district coordinator, Ameerjan.
Courtesy: P.T.Mohanan Pillai, The New Indian Express, July 26, 2004
Contributed by: Administrator
