In a world where most people wait for change, 67-year-old Kusumam R. Punnapra from Kerala chose to create it. Her story is not just about policy reform, it’s about persistence, compassion, and the power of one determined woman who refused to give up on working mothers across India.
Born in the historic village of Punnapra, known for its 1946 working-class uprising, activism was in Kusumam’s DNA. Her grandfather was a social worker, her grandmother mediated community disputes, and her mother led women’s welfare initiatives. From an early age, Kusumam saw what it meant to stand up for others.
After earning a degree in Chemistry, she joined Keltron, a government organisation where she experienced a balanced work environment, regular hours, nursing breaks, and creche facilities. But when her daughter entered the IT industry, Kusumam witnessed a stark contrast: long hours, no childcare support, and no maternity protections.
“My daughter would come home at 10:30 PM. I kept wondering what about mothers who have infants? Who supports them?” she recalls.
That thought became her mission.
Turning Concern into Change
In 2014, Kusumam penned a powerful Malayalam article titled “Tech Babies Are Denied Breastmilk”, published in Mathrubhumi newspaper. Her words struck a chord calling for paid maternity leave, daycare facilities, and nursing breaks in the IT sector.
But she didn’t stop there.
Armed with research and determination, Kusumam approached the Kerala Labour Commission and the Human Rights Commission pushing for real policy amendments. Her efforts led to changes in the Employees’ State Insurance Act (1948) and the Maternity Benefit Act (1961).
Her relentless activism resulted in a 2015 government notification mandating:
- Daycare centres within 500 metres of workplaces with 50+ employees
- Nursing breaks for working mothers
Six-month paid maternity leave officially implemented nationwide in 2017
Fighting for Every Woman
Kusumam’s advocacy didn’t end with the IT sector. She extended her fight to teachers, nurses, and staff in self-financing educational institutions.
When tutors from a nursing college in Thrissur sought help, she filed a petition and won them maternity leave for the first time in history. She even fought for 13 pregnant women from Mahatma Gandhi University to receive the same benefits.
“I don’t belong to any organisation or political party. I just want fairness,” she says with quiet pride.
A Legacy of Care and Courage
Even today, Kusumam continues her mission. Her latest campaign advocates geriatric training for home nurses ensuring quality elder care while empowering women with new skills and job security.
Thanks to her persistence, companies like Tata Elxsi and PSC Office, Thiruvananthapuram, have implemented daycare facilities, a vision she planted years ago.
Her journey is a testament to what compassion-driven activism can achieve. At Take Care International Foundation, we celebrate changemakers like Kusumam who redefine leadership, equality, and care in every sense.
Because true change begins when one person dares to say “This isn’t fair. Let’s make it better.”
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