Unheard Voices of vulnerable groups in Kalyan-Karnataka: Challenges and way forward

Hyderabad Karnatka (1948) recently renamed as Kalyan Karnataka (2018) has all the 35 taluks classified as Most Backward, Most Backward, Backward and Relatively Developed Taluks based on Composite Degradation Index as per the reports of Prof. Nanjudappa Committee. Among the taluks of Kalyana (Hyderabad) Karnataka region, 22 taluks are classified as most backward, 5 taluks as very backward and 2 taluks as backward taluks. This classification is based on the report Dr. D M Nanjundappa as a Chairman of the High Powered Committee for Redressal of Regional Imbalance (HPCRRI). On the basis of 35 socio-economic indicators, assessed the level of development of 175 taluks in the state. These indicators were spread over various sectors such as agriculture, industry, economic infrastructure, social infrastructure, and financial and technical infrastructure. The socio-economic indicators include health & education, Labour & Social Welfare, Women & Child Development. This paper focuses on women and children as vulnerable groups, and is based on the experiences of the author while working in Raichur district. The discussions are classified into three sections I. Childhood Malnutrition in Raichur: Stories from the Heart of the Community II. Women in Farming: Key Lessons from Raichur's Experience III. Nurturing Women's Entrepreneurship in Agriculture