Mullammal, a resident of the Pallakollai Irular Residential Area in Melmalayanur Taluk, once struggled with reliance on others and faced exploitation when attempting to secure basic documents like caste certificates. However, her role as a community leader in PALAVAI’s Lok Munch initiative over the past three years transformed her into a beacon of empowerment for her people.

In December 2023, Mullammal took a bold step to address the lack of caste certificates among 28 individuals in her village. Equipped with newfound knowledge of administrative processes, she approached the Revenue Officer and Village Administrative Officer of Avalurpet Panchayat. Her proactive efforts, including facilitating documentation and advocating for an investigation, led to a breakthrough: on January 12, 2024, caste certificates were issued to the 28 individuals, with nearly the entire village now having online access to their certificates.

This achievement marked a historic moment for Mullammal’s community—acquiring these essential documents independently and free from exploitation. Her leadership exemplifies the transformative power of knowledge and determination in securing fundamental rights for marginalized communities.