From Sweeper To President: Kerala Woman Rises Ranks At Panchayat Office

What seems like an inspirational story of a woman rising ranks, a Kerala woman took the chair of block panchayat president in south Kerala’s Kollam district after serving as the sweeper at the same office for the past 10 years.

A 46-year-old Dalit woman named A Anandvalli Communist Party of India (CPM) contested the local body elections and reportedly secured the president chair with 654 votes. She had been working at the same panchayat office as a part-time sweeper since 2011.

Anandvalli is reportedly known as “Valli Chechi” (Valli sister) among the people of her community. It is also reported that the CPM party gave election ticket to her because of her acceptance among the people. Anandvalli’s husband apart from being a painter is also an active member of CPM.

Also read: Maharashtra: Rape Survivor Faces Banishment From Her Village In Beed District

Anandavalli is said to be a school dropout and belongs to a family of Marxist party supporters. Before taking her role as the block panchayat president, she used to earn Rs 6,000 a month a temporary sweeper at the panchayat office.

While talking a newspaper about her success, Anandvalli expressed gratitude towards her party members and spoke about her plans as the new block president. She said, “I will do my best to make my block panchayat a role model.”

“My responsibility is heavy now. I will work hard to make life better for all people in my block,” she added.

Recently, a 21-year-old student Arya Rajendran became the youngest mayor in the country as she took the office of the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Read more here.

Also read: Who Is Maia Sandu? First Female President of Moldova

Image credit: Deccan Herald