Date:07/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/07/stories/2008080756770300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Muthulakshmi Reddy, a role model for women students

Staff Reporter

She is a symbol of courage and determination, says Superintendent of Police

PEP TALK: P. Moorthi, SP, speaking at the inauguration of the birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy in Pudukottai.

PUDUKOTTAI: The yeoman services rendered by Muthulakshmi Reddy, who has many firsts to her credit, were hailed by people from various walks of life at a function organised by the H. H. The Rajah’s College to mark her birth anniversary.

They urged the women students to emulate the life and sacrifices of this great physician, social leader and women activist as a role model for their career.

Inaugurating the celebrations, the Superintendent of Police, P. Moorthi, said that Dr. Reddy was not only a great leader but also an eminent person with a vision for the cause of the women’s growth in the long run.

He traced her hard work for the overall development of women and for their equal rights in political, social and economic growth.

Describing her as a symbol of courage and determination, Mr. Moorthi appealed to the women students to work systematically with a sense of commitment to get through the Union Public Service Commission’s tests.

“Women students should play a great role in working for the cause of the downtrodden and the suppressed communities.”

R. Nishanthini, who secured 180th rank in the UPSC 2007 examinations, said that Dr. Reddy’s systematic planning and execution at a time when the clinical industry was not blessed with adequate technological support as of now, should be a source of inspiration for the young women students.

She said that students should shun their inhibitions and set their goals straight while preparing for the UPSC examinations.

Sustained reading of newspapers was the secret of her success in the UPSC test, she said.

The Revenue Divisional Officers, Pudukottai and Aranthangi, D. Mohan and S. Visagan, respectively shared their experiences and explained their scheme of planning they had followed to succeed in competitive test for the recruitment of Group I officers.

The Principal, M. Chidambaranathan, and the district organiser of the Youth Red Cross, S. Viswanathan, were among those who spoke.