Latest news with #HarithaVKumar
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
IT parks becoming women friendly workplaces, says Veena George
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's IT parks are evolving into women-friendly workplaces, said health minister Veena George. She was speaking at a training programme for chairpersons and members of internal committees (ICs) formed in various offices within Technopark on Wednesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As part of a mission-driven initiative by department of women and child development in collaboration with the IT department, systematic efforts have been launched to create safer workspaces for women, she said. She noted that internal committees were being established in all companies and emphasised that this process was already under way in public sector organisations and IT parks. Training sessions have also been conducted for the film industry to support the formation of similar committees. The minister highlighted that a dedicated portal was launched in 2023 by women and child development department to monitor the functioning of these committees. By March 8, 2025, internal committees were set up in every govt department, she added. "A large number of women are working in the IT sector and more women must come forward in the workforce," the minister said. She stressed that the govt was identifying and addressing the challenges faced by women across various fields. She also appreciated the IT sector for its support of the health department's cancer prevention mass campaign Arogyam Aanandam Akattam Arbudham, which promotes public participation in cancer awareness and prevention. "Ensuring that internal committees' function effectively was the responsibility of both institutions and employers," she said. The training was organised as part of the state's initiative to implement the 2013 Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act in workplaces with 10 or more employees. Women and child development director Haritha V Kumar presided over the programme. Nirbhaya cell state coordinator Sreela Menon led the training sessions, and additional director Bindu Gopinath delivered the welcome address.
India.com
a day ago
- Business
- India.com
Meet Kerala's first woman UPSC topper, a trained playback singer, became IAS with AIR..., she is now...
IAS Haritha V Kumar (File) IAS Haritha V Kumar Success Story: The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the toughest recruitment tests in India, with millions of aspirants taking the exam each year to fulfill their dream of joining civil services. While, the prestigious service has been traditionally male-dominated, women had begun their mark over the past few decades, with names like IAS Tina Dabi and her sister IAS Ria Dabi, achieving celebrity status due to their UPSC exploits. One woman who broke the proverbial glass ceiling is IAS Haritha V Kumar, who scripted history in 2012 when she became the first the woman from Kerala to top the UPSC CSE, achieving an All-India Rank of 1. Who is IAS Haritha V Kumar? Born on November 21, 1985 in Neyyattinkara, Kerala, Haritha V Kumar grew up in a middle-income home with her twin brothers– Sadrarsh and Satheerth– her father Vijaya Kumar, a contractor with Kerala Water Authority, and mother Chitra, a homemaker. Growing up, Haritha attended the St Theresa's Convent, and later completed her schooling at a government-run school in her hometown. After her schooling, she moved to Thiruvananthapuram, where she earned a degree in Electronics and Telecommunications at Barton Hill Engineering College, following which she received a job offer at HCL Technologies. However, since her childhood, Haritha V Kumar was fixated with becoming an IAS officer, and thus turned down the job offer, instead choosing to pursue her UPSC dream. How Haritha V Kumar aced UPSC CSE? After her graduation, Haritha V Kumar began rigorous preparations for UPSC, but the journey was far from a bed of roses, as she failed to her clear the UPSC mains in her first attempt in 2009. Unfazed by the failure, Haritha marched on and cleared the tough exam in her second attempt, securing an AIR of 179, which earned her the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) cadre. Haritha's dream to become an IAS officer received another setback as her AIR slipped to 294 in her third UPSC attempt, leaving her to question her career choices. 'At that point, I had thought of quitting. It was my parents who pushed me to try once more,' she revealed in an interview. Bolstered by her parents' support and encouragement, Haritha V Kumar attempted the UPSC CSE for the fourth time in 2012, and aced the exam with the coveted AIR 1, becoming the first woman from Kerala to achieve the remarkable feat. Haritha V Kumar hobbies Beyond her UPSC success, Haritha V Kumar is also a trained playback singer, and made her singing debut in the 2022 Malayalam film Karuna, lending her voice to a Mohan Sithara composition in raga Shyam Kalyan. Haritha is trained in Carnatic music and classical dance, and was an active participant in various cultural activities, including stage shows, etc during her school and college days. Currently, IAS Haritha V Kumar is posted as the Director of Women and Child Development, with additional charge as Principal Director of the LSGD.
Time of India
14-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Planning to launch portal for registering dowry complaints, state govt tells Kerala HC
Kochi: The state govt on Thursday informed high court that the women and child department has initialised a dowry prohibition portal wherein the complaint can be filed by the aggrieved person directly to the court. A standard operating procedure for handling cases related to Dowry Prohibition Act is also under preparation and will be issued shortly. The state made these submissions in an affidavit filed in response to a PIL by Tellmy Jolly of Ernakulam, challenging the constitutional validity of Section 3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, on the ground that it also penalises the giving or abetment of dowry. The affidavit, filed by women and child department director Haritha V Kumar, stated that the govt has appointed 14 district women and child development officers as district dowry prohibition officers in every district. The women and child department director will serve as the chief dowry prohibition officer for the administration and coordination of works relating to dowry prohibition across districts. In her petition, Jolly contended that Section 3 of the Act prescribes penalties for giving, taking, or abetting the giving or taking of dowry, and that penalising the dowry giver — often the victim or a family member — acts as a deterrent to reporting dowry-related harassment due to fear of self-incrimination. She sought to strike down Section 3 to the extent that it criminalises the giving of dowry or its abetment. While the bench considered the petition on Thursday, counsel for the central govt sought additional time to file a counter affidavit. HC then adjourned the PIL to Sept 16. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Society needs more men to speak up on issues of violence against women, says DIG Ajeetha Begum
Haritha V Kumar, in her address highlighted the steps taken by the state government to strengthen internal mechanisms, stating that all 95 government departments in Kerala now have IC in place under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act. 'With the launch of the POSH Portal, we are now urging private sector companies to register their IC details. We have recently conducted a training session for stakeholders in the film industry, and a similar initiative is being planned for the television sector,' she said. Speaking at the event, DIG Ajeetha Begum, stressed the need for broader engagement. 'We need more men to speak up on issues of violence against women. In Kerala, around 18,000 cases related to violence against women are registered annually. Each district has only one protection officer who often handles over 600 cases. While our legal framework is strong, low conviction rates remain a concern. The rise in reporting, however, is a positive development,' she noted. Jeanne Briganti, Public Affairs Officer at the U S consulate general in Chennai, addressed the gathering virtually. She said, 'Through partnerships and knowledge exchange, the United States continues to support global initiatives that empower women and protect families.'
New Indian Express
14-06-2025
- New Indian Express
140 child labour hotspots in Kerala; 56 kids rescued
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Here's a shocker! In what could prompt immediate action, the state women and child development (WCD) department has identified 140 child labour hotspots across the state, a majority of them in Ernakulam. The hotspots were identified in a statewide survey to trace children engaged in labour and begging, and those living on the streets. The WCD conducted 704 rescue drives in the previous financial year — a majority of them in Kannur — during which 56 children were rescued and given rehabilitation support. This was part of the Saranabalyam project launched in 2017 to locate and rehabilitate children trapped in labour. In recent years, the project was strengthened by linking it with 'Kaval Plus', which enabled more sustained interventions through coordination with the police, labour, education and health departments. The highest number of hotspots were identified in Ernakulam (30) and Idukki (13), and the least in Palakkad and Kozhikode (4 each). 'There were no cases of child labour recorded in the last year. We identified the hotspots from earlier cases and by monitoring probable areas like settlements of migrant labourers who come with families, border regions, plantations and during festivals,' said WCD director Haritha V Kumar. Child labour hotspots will be monitored through regular inspections: Officials 'Children found engaged in labour or living in unsafe conditions are removed immediately and provided shelter, care, rehabilitation and repatriation through the Child Welfare Committee,' Haritha said. 'Anyone who notices a child in distress or engaged in labour can report it by calling the child helpline at 1098,' Haritha said. Another official said instances of child labour involving Keralites are very rare, though not entirely absent. 'Most children found at risk are from other states who came here with their families and are more vulnerable to exploitation. Here, people are more sensitised. There is greater awareness about education,' said the official. 'In some districts, data may show identified hotspots but no rescues. This is because these involve children working with their parents in non-strenuous roles that do not strictly qualify as child labour. Rescuing such children unnecessarily may do more harm than good. It is ensured these children are well taken care of in their homes. Surveillance, awareness and rehabilitation are more effective than relying solely on punitive action,' the official said.
