ANANTAPUR: The district committee of Jana Vignana Vedika (JVV) affiliated to All-India People's Science Network has decided to observe the birth centenary of the first woman doctor among Telugus Komarraju Achchamamba here on April 23.

Talking to newspersons here on Friday leaders of JVV women's wing and other women's organisations Prasoona, Moksha Prasoona, Vasundhara and Subhashini stated that Dr. Achchamamba was a freedom fighter, MP and builder of women's movement apart from being the first woman doctor among Telugus.

Samatha, women's wing of JVV, will organise the centenary celebrations of Dr. Achchamamba in the Lalitakala Parishath Hall here on April 23. Born on October 6 in 1906 in Guntur, Dr. Achchamamba actively participated in the freedom movement and women's movement then.

She had pursued her medicine degree from Britain and practiced in Vijayawada.

She led a women's procession violating prohibitory orders at Vijayawada in 1948 and was jailed at Raya Vellore for six months. She worked for improvement of education and health among women and penned the first scientific book on women's health in Telugu. She also played a key role in drafting the legislation against dowry while being an MP.

Focus areas

The centenary celebrations would focus on women's problems, rights and women's movement in the present context. The occasion would also help in reviewing the role of women in politics, actual place they get there and the problem of being in politics.

Feminist and writer Olga would also participate in the celebrations. A playlet conceived by Asmitha, a women's organisation, would be staged after the meeting at 7 p.m. on April 23.

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