HYDERABAD: For Nenavathi Somi, A Durgeshwari and Begari Kaveri, the work they do every day takes different forms. Somi has spent 14 years working as a sanitation worker, helping keep the city clean. Durgeshwari works as an ASHA worker, providing healthcare services, while Kaveri is a self-help group (SHG) member who supports women in improving their livelihoods. All three are employees of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and were honoured with Certificates of Recognition at the Devi Awards.
Though their work takes them into different corners of community life, all three share a common goal: improving the lives of those around them. Their recognition at Devi awards also brought attention to work that often goes unnoticed, from keeping streets clean and providing healthcare support to helping women find greater economic opportunities.
For Somi, the award recognised 14 years of work as a street cleaner, a job that is essential to the city but often receives little public attention. Durgeshwari’s work as an ASHA worker, meanwhile, reflects the importance of healthcare support at the community level.
“I am doing a small job, but being recognised by The New Indian Express and being given an award brings me immense happiness,” Durgeshwari said. She added that appreciation for good work encouraged her to do more.
“When we do good work, it motivates us to do even more. I am so, so happy.” She also expressed gratitude to the GHMC for its support, saying the assistance had strengthened her work and helped her continue serving the community.
Kaveri’s work focuses on bringing women together through self-help groups and supporting their efforts to improve their livelihoods and access better opportunities. By helping women work collectively, she contributes to efforts to strengthen the women’s economic independence.
For Somi, Durgeshwari and Kaveri, the award was a moment of recognition for work they have been doing for years. As GHMC employees working in sanitation, healthcare and women’s self-help groups, they each have a different story to tell.
Sania Tabassum