About Rural Development Council

Rural Development Council (RDC) was founded in 2002 with a singular purpose: to uplift the marginalized Irular Adivasi and Dalit communities in the remote hilly terrains of Krishnagiri district. What began as a small initiative in the Denkanikottai Taluk has grown into a movement for self-determination and dignity.

In the early years, our focus was primarily on basic access—bridging the gap between these isolated hill settlements and essential government services. We witnessed the stark reality of maternal mortality, child labor, and lack of education due to sheer geographical remoteness. Launching our Tribal Mobile Outreach Medical Service in 2002 was a critical first step, bringing doctors and medicines to doorsteps that had never seen a healthcare worker before.

Over the last two decades, our scope has broadened significantly. We realized that true empowerment comes not just from receiving aid, but from reclaiming rights. We facilitated the formation of 120+ tribal village committees, enabling communities to demand their entitlements—from clean water to community certificates. We helped establish 22 Anganwadis and 20 primary schools, ensuring that a generation of Irular children could access education within their own cultural context.

Our journey has also been about economic resilience. Recognizing the rich knowledge of the Adivasis, we moved towards sustainable livelihoods, establishing the Thenkani Women’s Federation and later the Melagiri Natural Products company. This shifted the narrative from subsistence to entrepreneurship, allowing women to add value to forest produce like Amla and Honey, thereby breaking free from exploitative middlemen.

Today, RDC works across 9 hill ranges, impacting over 32,000 lives. Our partnerships with organizations like HCL Foundation, The Banyan, and government bodies have strengthened our resolve. Yet, our core philosophy remains unchanged: to revive traditional wisdom, protect natural resources, and build an egalitarian society where every individual leads a life of dignity and self-respect.