Created by CleanupBot II
Last edited August 14, 2023


Achamma Mathai
A South Asian woman with dark wavy hair, head covered by a light patterned dupatta
Achamma Mathai, from a 1936 issue of The Indian Listener



Occupation
Social worker



Achamma Mathai was an Indian social worker, women's rights activist,[1] a co-founder of Dr. John Mathai Centre, an institute of Information Technology, Economics, Management, Theatre Arts and Music under the University of Calicut and the wife of John Mathai, the first Railway Minister of India and a former Finance minister.[2] During her stay in Delhi, when her husband was serving in the Union Ministry, she was reported to have been involved in activities related to children's education.[3] During the riots that followed Indian independence, she worked alongside Sucheta Kripalani for the rehabilitation of the riot victims.[1] She served as a member of the Advisory Committee for Libraries in 1955[4] and as the chairperson of the Central Social Welfare Board in the early Sixties.[5] The Government of India honoured her in 1954, with the award of Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award for her contributions to the society,[6] placing her among the first recipients of the award.


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Women's Rights and World Development{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Sarup & Sons(1998). ISBN 9788176250153
  2. JMCTSR. JMCTSR(2015). Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  3. Delhi Metropolitan: The Making of an Unlikely City{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Penguin Books India(2007). ISBN 9780143063100
  4. Committees and Commissions in India, 1947-73: 1977 (4 v.). Concept Publishing Company(1975). Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  5. Early Years Education: Policy and practice in early education and care, Volume 3{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Taylor & Francis(2006). ISBN 9780415326728
  6. Padma Shri. Padma Shri(2015). Retrieved 11 November 2014.

Template:Padma Award winners of Kerala

Template:Padma Shri Award Recipients in Public Affairs Template:Authority control Template:India-activist-stub