WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH VEDIC MATHEMATICS- A STUDY CONDUCTED AMONG KUDUMBASHREE UNIT MEMBERS OF KERALA

The concept of empowerment as a goal of development projects and programmes has been gaining wider acceptance. By women empowerment would be able to develop self-esteem, confidence, realize their potential and enhance their collective bargaining power. Women's empowerment can be viewed as a continuum of several interrelated and mutually reinforcing components (Marilee, Karl, 1995). Indian Constitution in its fundamental rights has provisions for equality, social justice and protection of women. These goals are yet to be realized. Still women continue to be discriminated, exploited and exposed to inequalities at various levels. Inadequate education and skills development keep economies trapped in a vicious circle of low education, low productivity and low income. Skills development is central to improving productivity. Women self-help groups are at present playing a vital role in the personality and skill development of women in India. Kudumbashree, Launched by the Government of Kerala in 1998 for wiping out absolute poverty from the State is today one of the largest women-empowering projects in the country. The present paper shares the experiences of an initiative taken towards developing skills among the members of Kudumbasree unit through our intellectual traditions of Vedic Mathematics. The findings of the study throw light on the unlimited impact of Vedic One line Mental calculations in capacity enhancement among the participants through improved skills. Thus the study suggests the need of popularizing and implementing our traditional treasure of Vedic Mathematics even in the area of women empowerment.