In the Spotlight: Grihalakshmi Features WIA’s Pioneering Journey in Women’s Empowerment

We are incredibly proud to announce that the Women’s Indian Association (WIA) Kozhikode chapter and our historic venue, Padmasree Kalyana Mandapam, have been featured in Grihalakshmi, one of Kerala’s premier magazines!

The feature, beautifully written by Sniga Vasanth and published on April 10, 2026, delves deep into the rich history of our organization. Titled “സ്ത്രീശാക്തീകരണത്തെപ്പറ്റി ചർച്ചകൾ ഉയർന്നുകേൾക്കാത്ത കാലത്തെ, മഹിളാ കൂട്ടായ്മ” (A women’s collective from a time when discussions on women’s empowerment were rarely heard), the piece highlights our legacy as one of the country’s earliest women’s associations.

A Legacy Ahead of Its Time

As the article explores, WIA was actively championing community welfare and women’s rights long before “empowerment” became a mainstream conversation. Established in 1973, our NGO was built by visionary women determined to drive real social change in Kozhikode. Today, powered by a dedicated network of hundreds of members, that original mission continues to thrive and expand.

Celebrations with a Purpose

A special focus of the Grihalakshmi feature is the unique operational model behind Padmasree Kalyana Mandapam. The article sheds light on how our venue stands apart from commercial halls. It emphasizes that every wedding, gathering, and cultural event hosted in our mandapam serves a greater purpose—the proceeds go directly toward funding our grassroots charitable initiatives and local welfare projects.

We are immensely grateful to Sniga Vasanth and the Mathrubhumi team for recognizing our decades of service and highlighting the tireless work of our members.

Read the Full Feature To learn more about our journey and read the complete off-beat feature, head over to the Mathrubhumi website: 🔗 Read the full article on Grihalakshmi here

Thank you to our community and patrons. By choosing our venue, you are helping us continue a 50-year legacy of shaping a better tomorrow!