Matilda Kullu, 45, an ASHA worker for 15 years from village Gargadbahal in Odisha, was one of the names included in the list of the most powerful Indian women of the well-known magazine Forbes in 2021. This is the first time that an ASHA worker has made to the coveted list. Matilda, who is neither business leader nor highly educated, was recognised for her dedication to her work as an ASHA di. Thanks to her constant effort since 2006, today the rate of institutional deliveries in her village is 100 per cent, the overall health of the people and children has also improved, and her village is one of the few villages in India that completed 100 per cent COVID-19 vaccination in the initial phase.
