Fouzia Tarannum Reviving Millets and Strengthening Governance in Kalaburagi

In Kalaburagi, Karnataka, IAS officer Fouzia Tarannum has made a remarkable impact by combining traditional food promotion with effective governance. She has led initiatives to revive millet cultivation and ensure clean, accurate electoral rolls in the district.

Fouzia, a 2015-batch IAS officer, launched the Kalaburagi Rotti project, promoting nutritious rotis made from local millets like sorghum and finger millet (ragi). These rotis are prepared and sold by women’s self‑help groups, providing them with stable incomes while encouraging healthier diets among local communities.

On the governance side, she spearheaded a comprehensive clean-up of the voter list in 2024–25. Through digitisation, verification, and door-to-door checks — especially for migrant families — she ensured that the electoral rolls were accurate and free from duplicate or false entries. For this work, she received the President’s Award for Best Electoral Practices in January 2025.

Fouzia’s work demonstrates how integrating traditional practices with modern governance can transform communities. Her efforts have improved nutrition, empowered women economically, and strengthened the democratic process in Kalaburagi.

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