From left: Kudumbashree State Assistant Program Manager Preetha G Nair, Reena K, Praja Narayanan, Union Rural Development Ministry Assistant Secretary Monika Bhutunguru, Joint Secretary Smriti Sharan, Icymol and Shyamala Ravi at Amrit Udyan in New Delhi
Four Kudumbashree members from tribal areas in the state recently got a rare opportunity to leave the familiar surroundings of their homes and travel to the national capital. When they first heard from the Kudumbashree Mission about flying to New Delhi and seeing popular sights they had only seen on TV or read about, the four chairmen of the Kudumbashree Community Development Corporation were in disbelief.
Only one of them had been to Delhi before. Praja Narayanan of Attappada participated in the National Saras Mela there. However, at that time she was traveling by train and did not have the opportunity to visit landmarks such as the beautiful Amrit Udyan Rashtrapati Bhavan or the majestic Gateway of India. For the other three – Reena.K from Kasaragod, Shyamala Ravi from Wayanad and Icymol from Idukki – the thought of visiting the Indian capital, that too by plane, was like a dream.
The opportunity to visit Delhi came in recognition of their exemplary activities aimed at financial and social empowerment of women in tribal areas. These included integrating indigenous women into neighborhood groups, securing livelihoods through agriculture and animal husbandry, promoting microfinance to boost savings, and organizing Balasabha activities for children.
Although apprehensive about their first flight, the women, accompanied by Kudumbashree State Assistant Program Manager Preetha G. Nair, left for Delhi from Thiruvananthapuram on March 8, International Women’s Day. During their visit to New Delhi, they visited important monuments such as Amrit Udyan, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Akshar Dham and Humayun’s Tomb.
They met officials of the Union Ministry of Rural Development, including Joint Secretary Ms. Smriti Sharan and Deputy Secretary Ms. Monika Bhutunguru, along with representatives from various states who have demonstrated excellence in activities related to the tribal sector.
The Union Ministry of Rural Development offers women in self-help or neighborhood groups in various states – who excel in tribal development activities – an opportunity to visit Amrit Udyan. In Kerala, the National Mission for Rural Livelihood is implemented through Kudumbashree.
Published – 12 March 2026 22:19 IST
