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| T.K.Omana, ‘Rasta’, Kumbalakad, Wayanad |
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For 3 decades she has been engaged in social work, first in the arid climes of Rajastan, and later in the ever-drizzling wetland of Wayanad. T.K.Omana, who set up the NGO, ‘Rasta’ in Kumbalakad, Wayanad in 1984 has been active among tribals of the area.
There is no dearth of NGOs that are active among tribal people, but ‘Rasta’ has been able to make an impact in Wayanad’s social scene with a number of projects aimed at empowerment of backward communities. Now the Organisation is working on rainwater harvesting programmes.
“It is economic empowerment that should get top priority in any development programme for women”, she says underlining her conviction that economic independence is the key to liberation of women from oppression and exploitation.
One of her major major initiatives has been setting up micro-level self-help groups in backward rural hamlets. Through its activities, the NGO has opened up many job opportunities for rural women. Many have been given training in skills that would help them earn a living.
Her husband, Dinesh Kumar, who is an engineer specialized in renewable energy, is also working with Omana. In 2001, she was honoured with the Vijay Rattan Award by the India International Foundation for national integration.
Courtesy:
The Hindu, July 10, 2005
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