Tamil Nadu’s TN-KET Initiative: A Significant Reduction in TB Deaths
In the battle against Tuberculosis (TB), the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu has made remarkable strides with its TB death-free project, TN-KET (Tamil Nadu Kasanoi Erappila Thittam). Backed by the Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of tuberculosis research (ICMR-NIRT) in Chennai and the World Health Organization India, this initiative has been instrumental in significantly decreasing the number of early TB deaths.
Key Strategies of TN-KET
A crucial part of the initiative, the ‘Differentiated TB Care’, focuses on the accurate assessment and triage of patients. The program helps determine whether TB-infected individuals require ambulatory care or need to be admitted to a healthcare facility. Achieving its initial target, the TN-KET initiative has managed to meet 80% of patient triages, referrals, comprehensive evaluations of severe illnesses, and hospital admissions among confirmed cases.
Kudumbashree: Empowering Women since 1998
Kudumbashree, which means ‘prosperity of the family,’ was initiated in Kerala in 1998 by the Government of Kerala and NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development). It’s aimed to eradicate absolute poverty through community action. Today, it stands as one of the largest women’s self-help networks in the world.
The initiative comprises three components: microcredit, entrepreneurship, and empowerment. Kudumbashree follows a three-tier structure that includes neighborhood groups (Self Help Groups), area development society (formed by 15-20 SHGs), and Community development society (a federation of all groups), contributing to the all-round empowerment of women.
Unnathi: Empowering Youth from SC and ST Communities
‘Unnathi’ is an umbrella program launched alongside the silver jubilee celebration of Kudumbashree. This program targets youth from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities, aiming to open avenues for employment and self-employment.
A Glimpse into the Celebrations of Matua Mahamela
The Matua Mahamela, organized in West Bengal, celebrates the 212th birth anniversary of the founder of the Matua sect, Sri Sri Harichand Thakur. Born into a peasant farmer family of the Thakur community (an SC community), he established a sect of Vaishnavite Hinduism, known as ‘Matua’.
The sect was primarily adopted by members of the Namasudra community, also referred to as Chandalas, who were deemed untouchable. Post-partition and after the creation of Bangladesh, a large portion of Matuas migrated to India but are still waiting for Indian citizenship.
Matua Mahasangha, which began around 1860 AD in present-day Bangladesh, is a religious reformation movement that aims to uplift the oppressed. The Mahamela, thus, carries significant importance for the followers of the Matua sect.
Last Modified: February 20, 2024