KSWC chief directs to convene women’s gram sabhas of nomads, former Devadasis

Karnataka State Women’s Commission (KSWC) Chairperson Dr. Nagalakshmi Chowdhary directed officials to convene women’s gram sabhas in all camps and villages of Sindhanur, Maski, and Manvi taluks, bringing together nomadic, semi-nomadic, and former Devadasi women to discuss their issues and submit reports to the Commission.

Speaking at an interaction with Sindhol community’s nomadic women and former Devadasis at the Town Hall on Sukkalpet Road in Sindhanur, Raichur district, on Thursday, Dr. Chowdhary said many elderly women in the region were still drawing pensions at outdated rates. She asked officials to ensure that revised benefits were extended without delay.

Several former Devadasi women submitted petitions highlighting their long-standing demand for housing and residential plots. Dr. Chowdhary called the Sindhanur City Municipal Commissioner, Panduranga Itagi, onto the stage and discussed the matter on the spot.

Mr. Itagi clarified that former Devadasi women who had not yet been allotted sites should visit the office and file applications, and that action would be taken as per legal provisions.

Dr. Chowdhary further advised women to prepare a list of problems faced in their camps, such as lack of land, roads, or pensions, and assured that petitions submitted to the commission would be examined and forwarded to the respective departments for follow-up. However, she clarified that land disputes fell outside the Commission’s purview and should be taken up with the tahsildar and deputy commissioner.

The interaction drew participation from women of Sindhanur town and surrounding areas including Hosalli, Shasalamarri, Yolragi Camp, Gwamarisi, and Jalahalli.

On her arrival in Sindhanur earlier in the day, Dr. Chowdhary was accorded a traditional welcome by the Sindhol community with dolu and halage drumming, colourful rituals, and a procession leading her to the venue.

The event was organised jointly by the Women’s Commission, Women and Child Development Department, taluk administration, taluk panchayat, police department, Anganwadi centres of Sindhanur and Turvihal, and the Indira Gandhi Stree Shakti Sangha.

Tahsildar Arun Kumar Desai, CDPOs Ashok and Linganagoudar, and other officials were present.

A compassionate touch

Karnataka State Women’s Commission Chairperson Dr. Nagalakshmi Chowdhary struck an emotional chord during her visit to Raichur on Wednesday, showing spontaneous empathy to distressed women and families.

On her way to the MCH Hospital after a college interaction, Dr. Chowdhary stopped her vehicle when she noticed an elderly woman sitting by the roadside on Shaktinagar road. On enquiring, the woman said that she suffered from toothache and failing eyesight.

“I am also a doctor, I understand,” Dr. Chowdhary told her, personally examining her eyes and teeth before assuring, “I will get you admitted to the hospital.”

At the Sakhi One Stop Centre, a distressed woman named Sangeeta broke down before her, alleging harassment by her husband. Dr. Chowdhary consoled her, and noted her contact details for follow-up.

Later at RIMS Hospital, she sat with patients’ relatives, spoke to them warmly, and even accepted food by hand from one family, remarking that she too had not eaten since morning.

Her empathetic gestures drew praise from regional women leaders, who described her as a role model for women in public life.