Dalit activist still young at 87 for social causes

Chennai:

At 87, Krishammal Jagannathan is still young at heart when it comes to social issues and the octogenarian is working day and night to get funds for building 5,000 hutments for tsunami affected in Nagapatinam.

A freedom fighter and a close aide of Vinobha Bhave, Krishnammal feels that the Rs one lakh provided by the government is not enough to build the house for the tsunami affected people. “I am trying to generate funds so that they can have doors and windows,” she says.

A staunch supporter for empowerment of rural women, this octogenarian who shared the dais with Mahatma Gandhi has been in the forefront in fighting for the rights of landless through her organization Land for the Tillers' Freedom (LAFTI).

Speaking at the National Coastal Women Movement of Tamil Nadu chapter, Krishnammal shared her experiences in fighting various issues including prawn farms as she urged the women to work for the liberation of rural women.

The veteran freedom fighter also hit out at government freebies for the project affected stating that on one hand they destroy the livelihood and on other they provide freebies. “What is the use of it,” she reasons.