Kerala is a model in women empowerment: President

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: President Droupadi Murmu said that Kerala is a shining model in the history of women's empowerment. She was speaking at the reception given by the government to the President, who is making her first visit to Kerala, at the Uday Palace Convention Centre.

The President said that sex-ratio in Kerala is by far the best in the country. Kerala is also the state with the highest literacy rate. Kerala is a model for the country in promoting maternal health and preventing infant mortality.

''Unniyarcha, had set a stirring example of self-help through martial arts. She is immortalised in Kerala's folklore. Nangeli sacrificed her life protesting against unfair practices imposed upon Dalit women, including their personal clothing. She continues to inspire generations of those who fight for social dignity and justice'', she said.

"Out of the 15 members of the Constituent Assembly, three were from Kerala. Ammu Swaminathan, Dakshayani Velayudhan and Annie Mascarene were much ahead of their times. Dakshayani Velayudhan was the only Dalit woman to be elected to the Constituent Assembly. Justice Anna Chandy became a judge in the High Court of Kerala in 1956, much before Dame Elizabeth Lane became the first woman judge of the High Court in Britain in 1965. Justice M Fathima Beevi created legal history by becoming the first lady judge in the Supreme Court of India,'' she said.

"Karthyayani Amma became a national icon by attaining the first rank under the Akshar-Laksham Scheme at the age of 96 in 2018. She inspires everyone with her message that it is never too late to learn. Nanchiyamma, who won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback is an inspiration for every single woman in the country. I was very impressed watching this year’s Republic Day Tableau of Kerala, which displayed 'Nari-Shakti'. 'Payyoli Express' P T Usha has been an inspiration for later generations of girls to take up sports as a career and bring glory to India'', she added.

The President also highlighted that Kudumbashree has become one of the largest women's self-help networks in the world. "This is also an occasion to gratefully remember the vision and sensitivity of Bharat-Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee who launched Kudumbashree in 1998, when he was the Prime Minister. I am happy that the welfare of SCs and STs is given high priority in the state with helpful initiatives in the areas of housing, health, education, livelihoods, and infrastructure development," she added.

Droupadi Murmu also took the occasion to thank Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Governor Arif Muhammad Khan for the public reception. She inaugurated Kudumbashree@25 through Rachna and 'Unnathi', a programme launched for the comprehensive development of the Scheduled Tribe.

Governor Arif Muhammad Khan presided over the function. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Speaker AN Shamseer, Ministers MB Rajesh, K Radhakrishnan, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, VK Prasanth MLA, Mayor Arya Rajendran, Chief Secretary Dr VP Joy, Digital University Vice Chancellor Saji Gopinath, AICTE Chairman TG Seetharam and others were present.