Ms. Annamary
This venture is our identity. It has helped us see life from different perspectives. To earn and to be part of the community is our basic right. We run this enterprise. That statement is powerful—and I feel empowered when someone calls me 'madam.' That’s when I understood that work isn’t always about money; it’s about roles and relationships.
Ms. Annamary came to The Banyan as a client twenty years ago. Through her own initiative, she launched D’Lite Masala—a spice powder–making social cooperative housed within The Banyan—which was inaugurated in 2022. She leads this enterprise alongside Nandhini, another client of The Banyan. At the Thinnai Café in Kovalam, their masalas are put to delicious use in the preparation of meals and snacks.
In recognition of her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit, Ms. Annamary was awarded the State Award for Best Employee in the self-employment category. At The Banyan, dignity means enabling individuals to build a life on their own terms—with agency, respect, and meaningful participation.
