Anganwadi workers left in tears after Independence Day invite revoked

A YOUNG woman in Palakkad had pawned her gold ornaments to make her 47-year-old mother's dream come true.

- SHYAM P V @Palakkad

The money went towards booking a flight ticket to New Delhi, where her mother, C Jaseena — an Anganwadi helper in Pezhumkara near Pallippuram — had been invited to attend the Independence Day celebrations at the iconic Red Fort.

But, a week after the tickets were bought, the dream crumbled. The Women and Child Development Directorate, Thiruvananthapuram, informed that she would no longer be part of the event.

Jaseena, who was awarded the title of 'best Anganwadi helper', was one of the four women from Kerala who had received an invitation that recognised their outstanding service in the Anganwadi system.

Alongside her was K Pushpalatha from Kollengode, who was awarded 'best Anganwadi worker' in the state in 2023-24. Both women had received the formal notice from the directorate on July 30, and had rushed to prepare for the trip, believing it to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.