Award is an honour bestowed on a person. It adds value when conferred on someone like Dr. Lakshmi Rahmatullah, who is passionately involved in health care needs of rural women and children and particularly recognised for her work on Vitamin A deficiency in children family welfare measures among plantation workers. She received the ‘Woman of the year 2011' award at the First Charter anniversary of the Soroptimist International, Madurai Chapter, held at Kadamabavanam on Wednesday. Braving a fractured leg and on IV tube, she attended the function.
The octogenarian felt proud and happy to see women on a progressive path of service to mankind attempting to make the world a much better place to live in especially for children and women.
The presence of Dr.Rahmatullah, Managing Trustee of Family Health and Development Research Service Foundation based in Kariapatti village near Madurai, was an inspiration for all, as she has always fought a lonely battle and led her life on the path of struggle and service.
ADVERTISEMENT
Receiving the award and the citation, Dr. Rahmatullah said women should first fight for the right to be recognized as a human being.
Talking about women's reservation bill, she said the fairer sex, is in fact, more competent and should not be asking for reservation.
With her experience at the grassroots, she said a system ought to be put in place so that the village local body could guard against political interference.
ADVERTISEMENT
Earlier, SI organized a bhoomi puja for a proposed children's park at Chokkikulam and a medical camp for children at Kaalikapan and Ammapatti villages. At the end of the camp, around 75 children walked away with a pack of goodies including colouring books, crayons, sandals and fruit juices. At the camp, the SI team found the incidence of dental problems among children to be high. The team now plans to arrange a dental camp and an awareness programme on dental care and oral hygiene for parents in the villages next month.
Members of SI chapters from Chennai, Bangalore and Kodaikanal also participated.