Empowering Initiatives Inaugurated in Chanthanchira, Meengadi
In a significant step towards community development and empowerment, Shri Samshad Marakar, the President of Wayanad District Panchayat, inaugurated a series of projects in Chandanchira, Meenangadi, on September 1, 2023. These projects were implemented by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in collaboration with the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) State Bank of India Youth for India Fellowship, and Meenangadi Gram Panchayath.
The projects include a bamboo craft unit for the young women of Chandanchira hamlet, a rain shelter for the women of Paniya tribal community, a library constructed by renovating an old building in the hamlet, and a Pattupire constructed in the year 2022-23 as a panchayat project to learn folk songs
With the help of Kerala State Bamboo Mission, around 15 young women of Chandanchira and Raroth colony have been trained in making bamboo products with the aim of empowering them to become self-employed. Various types of vegetables and tubers are being cultivated under the rain shelters established as part of the project
KE Vinayan, President, of Meenangadi Grama Panchayat, presided over the function. Dr. V Shakeela, Director, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, explained the research station project and Mrs. Sindhu Sreedharan, District Panchayat Division Member, gave the keynote speech.
Mr. Rajesh, Tribal Department, Mr. Regi, H.M Manikav School, Jayan, Meenangadi Ksheera Sangh President, Mohanan (Retired Post Office) and Karimban, Ooru Mooppan offered greetings. Mrs. Shandhi Sunil, Ward Member Meenangadi Grama Panchayat, welcomed the gathering and Yashika, State Bank of India Foundation’s Youth for India Fellow, gave the vote of thanks.
Gayathri Kalathil, Abdullah Habeeb, Yashika Khattar and Dr Archana Bhatt coordinated the projects under the leadership of Dr Shakeela . Yashika Khattar, a State Bank of India Foundation Youth for India Fellow, played a pivotal role in mobilizing the community and driving forward these initiatives.