Pengal Otrumumai, a women’s team of plantations staff, led in 2015 agitation in Munnar.
Munnar fell silent like former members of Penguai – a historical female team of plantation workers – gathered to mourn over the transition of their beloved leader Vs Achuthanandan. It was his unwavering support, which played a decisive role in the 2015 conservation strike, where thousands of female workers grew against exploitative practices on the Tea plantations of Keraral. On Wednesday, July 23, many tea plantations around the hilly station abstained from visiting a commemorative function held in Munnar and pay tribute to a leader whose intervention changed their struggle in a globally recognized movement for justice and dignity.
With tears in his eyes, Lizzy Sunny, leader Pengal Otrumumai, remembered the unforgettable moment she shared with the leader. “The strike was a turning point for us. We were exhausted, physically and emotionally. Some party leaders came just to claim recognition, and we asked them to leave.
She noted that while the former Munnar Mla and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)) the leader S. Rajendran protested elsewhere, the VS decided to stand firmly with the workers and never left their party.
“Many of us have skipped work on Monday (July 21) to participate in our leader,” said Mrs. Lizzy, and her voice broke. “Our only grief is that no one in the Kerala remains like VS – no one with courage and compassion to stand with us when it matters most,” she remembered.
In September 2015, they protested for protesting the workers of female plantations under the auspices of Pengal Otrumumai, demanding better wages and working conditions for employees.
Meanwhile, CP (M) organized Munnar Memorial Function on Wednesday evening in Munnar. According to the party leaders, members of all political parties and plantations took part in a commemorative function.
Published – 23 July 2025 20:47
