My name is Veerammal, and I serve as president of the Kattakulam branch of Aathithamizhar union in Vadipatti taluk, Madurai district. Our village has around 60 families. For many years, we lived without even the most basic amenities such as a drainage system, public toilets, bathing spaces, and even drinking water pipelines.

We tried to raise these issues by individually petitioning the panchayat president. But no action was taken, and our demands were consistently ignored. That was when we turned to the leaders of the Aathithamizhar Union for support. When we explained our conditions to the union leaders, and they guided us on how to collectively demand our rights.

They informed us about Grama Sabha meetings that take place on Republic Day (January 26), May Day (May 1), Independence Day (August 15), and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), and encouraged us to participate as an organised group. In the next Gram Sabha meeting held in our village, I led a team of members and submitted a formal petition demanding the construction of drainage systems, public toilets, bathing facilities, and drinking water pipelines. Still, no action was taken.

At that point, the leadership of the Tamil Nadu Labourers’ Rights Federation (TLRF) joined hands with the Aathithamizhar Union and presented the issue to the local authorities. Then the panchayat began to act. One by one, our demands were met. Today, we have all the basic facilities. Our branch now has 40 registered members, many of whom are enrolled in the Unorganised Workers’ Welfare Board. Accessing these welfare schemes has not only improved our economic security but has also helped strengthen our union and women to take up leadership. The training and collective strength provided by the union have enabled us to transform both our village and ourselves.

Alagurani, Trainer, TLRF