Breaking the Glass Ceiling at Guruvayur Devaswom

After nearly five decades, the Guruvayur Devaswom Board, which manages the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, appointed M U Shinija as its first woman member since a rule amendment in 1978, coinciding with International Women's Day. Shinija represents the Communist Party of India on the nine-member board.

Marking a significant milestone, the Guruvayur Devaswom Board has appointed a woman, M U Shinija, for the first time in nearly 50 years. This appointment coincided with International Women's Day.

The board, responsible for managing the renowned Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, amended its rules in 1978, virtually excluding women until now. Reports indicate that the board had women's representation in the 1970s.

Shinija's appointment, as a Communist Party of India representative, has been hailed as a progressive step by A V Gopinath, the newly appointed Chairman, who expressed the significance of this inclusion during his oath-taking ceremony.