At first glance, Mrs. R. Dhanalakshmi appears small and almost fragile. But behind her diminutive frame lies an extraordinary strength and a leadership that now supports thousands of elders across villages in Puducherry.
Seventy-year-old Dhanalakshmi lives in Madukarai village, where she has built a life defined by resilience and determination. Married at the age of 19, she supported her family alongside her husband, an agricultural labourer who entrusted her with managing the household and caring for their four children—three daughters and a son.
Tragedy struck early when their young son passed away due to health complications. Years later, Dhanalakshmi faced another devastating loss when her husband died, leaving her to shoulder the responsibility of raising her daughters on her own.
Determined to secure their future, she began working as an agricultural labourer while also relying on a modest widow pension from the Puducherry Government. Through years of perseverance and sacrifice, she ensured that her daughters completed their education and eventually settled into their own families.
But as the years passed and her daughters built their own lives, Dhanalakshmi found herself living alone. The once-busy household grew quiet, and the days began to feel long and lonely.
Her life began to change when she learned about an Elders Self-Help Group supported by HelpAge India. Inspired by the idea of bringing elders together, Dhanalakshmi mobilised 12 elders from her street and formed the ‘Sarojini Naidu Elders Self-Help Group’ in 2016, becoming its President.
What began as a small effort to create companionship soon revealed her remarkable leadership. Trained as an Elderly Community Resource Person, she went on to help establish 25 Elders Self-Help Groups, supporting hundreds of elders in nearby communities.
Her leadership journey continued as she became President of the Madukarai Village Level Federation and later President of the District Level Federation (DLF) of Elders Self-Help Groups, a role she has held since 2018. Today, the federation connects 420 Elders Self-Help Groups with more than 6,000 members across 25 villages.
Under her leadership, the federation also established a Cost Price Centre in 2018, providing grocery, toiletry and other essential household items at affordable prices for elders and the wider community.
Dhanalakshmi is now recognised as a strong voice for elder welfare and women’s empowerment in Puducherry. She has represented elder communities at state-level programmes, including events marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, where she has spoken before government leaders about the needs and rights of older persons.
Today, the small woman who once struggled with loneliness stands tall as a leader for thousands of elders. Her journey is a powerful reminder that strength, purpose and leadership often come in the most unassuming forms.
