Date:13/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/13/stories/2008101350320200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Lady Meyyamai Achi award presented to Padma Venkataraman

Staff Reporter

Honoured for work in empowering underprivileged women

— Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

REAPING HONOURS: Chennai Collector Mythili K. Rajendran (third from left) presenting the Rani Lady Meyyamai Achi birthday commemoration award to Padma Venkataraman in Chennai on Saturday. Annamalai University Pro-Chancellor M.A.M. Ramaswamy and Chettinad Vidyashram Correspondent Meena Muthiah are in the picture.

CHENNAI: Social activist Padma Venkataraman was honoured with the Rani Lady Meyyamai Achi birthday commemoration award on Saturday for her work in empowering the underprivileged women and those affected by leprosy.

Chennai Collector Mythili K. Rajendran presented the award, which comprises a citation and a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh.

The award commemorates the 104th birth anniversary of Rani Meyyamai.

“An inspiration”

Ms. Venkataraman said the award inspired her to carry on with her work. She decided to donate 50 per cent of the money to Women’s Indian Association, a non-governmental organisation.

The rest would go to Gnanodaya, a school near Tambaram for healthy children of leprosy-affected persons.

The school is now trying to integrate these children with others to promote an inclusive form of education.

Calls for national policy

Ms. Venkataraman called for a national policy to empower the leprosy affected. Many of them took up begging because of stigma and ostracism.

“Micro-credit and job opportunities should be given. With the advances in medical sciences and multi-drug therapy, leprosy can be cured in 18 months.”

The awardee, daughter of the former Indian president, R. Venkataraman, has been active in the rehabilitation of leprosy patients.

She has worked with voluntary organisation Hope Worldwide to construct 800 homes for the leprosy-affected families at Shahdhara Colony in Delhi.

M.A.M. Ramaswamy, Pro-Chancellor of Annamalai University, recalled Lady Meyammai’s kindness to people, her efforts at promoting women’s education and her hospitable and gracious nature.