In the winter of 2008-2009, Karthik participated in Landmark Education’s Self-Expression and Leadership Program in San Jose in the United States. Along with his wife, Ramya, he created a project under the banner of Jalamangala Bettadha Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Family Charitable Trust (JBSLNSFCT) for ushering in a brand new future of activities in Karthik’s native Jalamangala Village near Bangalore, India. One of the activities that was taken on was causing the empowerment of women of the village. This project was kicked off on Monday, March 9th 2009.

JBSLNSFCT is a trust established by karthik’s parents, uncles, aunts and cousins to carry forward the charitable work of the family over the last 300 years into teh 21st century, under the blessings and guidance of Karthik’s great-grandmother Lakshmi Narasamma. The trust is actively involved in educational, spiritual and health related activities in Jalamangala village.

The leaders of the project were Geetha (Karthik’s mother), Indira (Karthik’s mother-in-law), Lalithamma (Karthik’s maternal grandmother), Anantha Lakshmi (Ramya’s grandmother) and 8 women from Ladies society. They were supported by Ramachandra (Karthik’s father), Nagaraj (Ramya’s father), Usha (Karthik’s aunt), Rashmi (Karthik’s sister) and Sowmya (Ramya’s sister).

Early, on the morning of the 9th of March, a team of 12 women from Bangalore, including the above leaders, visitied Jalamangala Village. As part of their visit, they started the day at the 300-year old home built by JBSLNSFCT’s ancestors. The event was organized at a local community center built by the JBSLNSFCT for use by the villagers. Following a prayer meeting at the local temple for Lord Ganesha, constructed by JBSLNSFCT, the meeting started.

About 120 women of the village participated in the event and were brought together by 9 different “Stree Shakti” (Women Empowerment) groups. The event focused on bringing together the team from Bangalore, including Lalithamma (Karthik’s grandmother), who spent her childhood years in the village, with the women of the village and provide an opportunity for both the groups to get related to each other.

The event proceeded to discuss the lifestyle of the women of the village, what’s important for them and their hardships and issues. While financial support was not found to be an important requirement, support with healthcare and small-scale industry product marketing was found to be in need.

Later that day, the women visited the village of Talawadi where the ancestors of JBSLNSFCT had built a temple.

The team from Bangalore has planned on taking on the following next steps in the coming months in Lalamangala village:

1. Organize a women’s health camp that includes guidance on Gynecological and Pediatric care.
2. Create an event with experts in small scale industry product marketing from Bangalore
3. Work with other local NGOs to support the critical causes in the village

Acknowledgements

• Lakshmi Narasamma and JBSLNSFCT for providing an opportunity to cause this event
• Indira Nagaraja and members of her Ladies Society for generously contributing their time and views
• Women of Jalamangala village for participating and being open to contribution at this event
• Katie Lynn and SELP Team at Landmark Education, San Jose for providing a platform for this project to start