Social worker felicitated by Governor

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, OCT. 14. Hyderabad's well-known social worker and politician, Mrs. Roda Mistry, was felicitated by the Governor, Dr. C. Rangarajan, at a function at Jubilee Hall, attended by a large number of Hyderabadis.

Speakers recalled her four-decade service, from starting a home for the disabled, "Aram Ghar", the first mid- day meal scheme launched by her for schoolchildren in city, her work for women's welfare and her contribution to society as a Minister of State and Rajya Sabha member and in setting up the College of Social Work, as president of the Indian Council of Social Welfare (ICSW).

The Governor said she represented the best of the Parsi community. Her life had been marked by a concern for the poor and the deprived. Referring to the renaming of the college as the Roda Mistry College of Social Work and Research Centre, he said oy was a fitting tribute to her work. His wife, Haripriya, released a souvenir on Mrs. Mistry.

In her acceptance speech, the 72-year-old Mrs. Mistry said the most memorable moment for her was the formal handing over of the Cancer Hospital at Red Hills to the State Government in the presence of the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, way back in 1955. It was built by ICSW then headed by Nawab Mehdi Nawaz Jung, her mentor. The hospital is now named after the Nawab. Another of her dream was fulfilled when the ICSW set up the School of Social Work in 1966 offering a diploma, which later became a college to offer under graduate, post graduation and doctoral courses in social work. The college will soon shift to a new 10 acre campus at Gachibowli.

"My contribution is just a drop in the ocean of humanity. If we look at our society the need for welfare and rehabilitation requirements is much more than the services provided by the Government and the NGOs," she added.

Dr. Banu Tahera Sayeed and Mr. Salahuddin Nayyar, popular poets, paid commendation in English and Urdu respectively to Mrs. Mistry. Mr. Basheer Mohammed Khan, chairman of the college, Dr. D. K. Lal Das, principal of the college, and Mr. Hashim Hassan Sayeed, executive member of the ICSW, spoke. Mr. Ashok Chand, vice-president of ICSW, welcomed the gathering. Mr. M. A. Shukoor, general secretary, ICSW, proposed a vote of thanks.

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Section  : Southern States
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