Women in the remote hinterlands with little exposure and even fewer opportunity to demonstrate their literary prowess now have something to look forward to.
The Ernakulam district panchayat plans to publish selected poetry by these ladies as part of the Pennezhuthu initiative, which is open to women residing within grama panchayat boundaries.
Women above the age of 15 can submit poems of up to 42 lines by letter or hand to the district panchayat office or the district women and child development office on or before November 15.
“This is an experiment of sorts and depending on the response we are prepared to further expand it. For instance, though it is now restricted to poems, we may think of content beyond it later if need be” saya Ullas Thomas, district panchayat president.
Though all women in panchayat bounds are eligible, individuals from marginalised groups such as the impoverished and unemployed, widowed, differently-abled, and scheduled communities would be given priority.
The entry must be filled out on a standard form that is available at all panchayat offices. The applicant should reveal her name, address, phone numbers, and other pertinent information.
“We have already received around four entries. Works will be subjected to two layers of screening by a panel of accomplished writers and the ones short listed by them will be selected for publishing. We are looking at publishing around 100 works as a collection,” stated a senior district panchayat official.
To guarantee maximum involvement, Integrated Child Development Services personnel at Anganwadis and Kudumbashree Neighbourhood Groups are promoting the initiative. It's also being shared on the district panchayat's and the district Women and Child Development Department's social media accounts. A well-known writer may publish the collection by the end of December.
