From Courage to Commitment: Prabhavathy Amma Pledges to Guard Footpath Rights

“People use this footpath to reach the nearby hospital, students walk to their schools, and employees head to nearby offices,” she explained. However, two-wheeler riders often misuse the footpath, creating serious danger for pedestrians. While most people rarely react to such violations, she says that when she raises her voice, they simply give a thumbs-up.

“I tell them that’s not enough—you must stand with me,” she insists. A former member of the Scouts and Guides during her school days, she has carried the discipline she learned back then throughout her life.

I believe this message needs to be strongly conveyed in classrooms. People often wait for the law to act, but I choose my own path, keeping a close watch on roads, especially violations on footpaths meant for pedestrians. Kerala Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar called her to commend her intervention, and she urged him to prioritize fixing footpaths and broken pathways. Since pedestrian paths are frequently used by the elderly, women, and children, they deserve special attention.

When the Minister said that a heavy fine is imposed on violators, she said; "such actions will only bring more money to the state exchequer." But she wants more awareness classes for the citizens so that they can be taken on board for checking violations.

Prabhavathy Amma admires the legendary communist leader, the late K R Gowri Amma. “I had the chance to work with her. She was a firebrand who inspired millions, including me,” she said. Amma is also active on Instagram with the handle prabhakarthu_c.