The Hindu : `Vasumathi Ramaswami, an inspiration for youth'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 25, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

`Vasumathi Ramaswami, an inspiration for youth'

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, JAN. 24. Tributes were paid to Vasumathi Ramaswami, writer and social worker, at a meeting organised by the Women's Indian Association (WIA), Srinivasa Gandhi Nilayam and the Gandhi Peace Foundation.

Sarojini Varadappan, WIA president, said Vasumathi was the `Sthitha Pragna' of the Bhagavad Gita in her equanimity to the ups and downs of life.

Anandhi Ramachandran, writer, said Vasumathi created social awareness in her when she was 16 years old, taking her to a polling booth and showing her what happens there.

Mrs. Y.G. Parthasarathy, WIA vice-president, said that though Vasumathi was busy as a social worker, she used to take care of her family and was a great source of inspiration for youth.

Shakunthala Sharma, educationist, recalled that she was, "simple, full of love and the spirit of all that we were working for."

Another speaker, Sathya Bhama, said "so much she knows but so little she shows. She was an example to students, combining modernity with conservatism."

Referring to Vasumathi as a "modern day Avvaiyar," Bharatanatyam dancer Padma Subrahmanyam said she had in her the essence of education, art, culture and political knowledge. "She had a personal touch for everyone and would shower her love to members young and old without a generation gap."

Sulochana Pattabiraman, musicologist, said Vasumathi was a repository of loving words for everyone. "She had a certitude of mind like a Jhansi Rani."

Mythreyi Ramadurai, artiste, said Vasumathi who was not bound by the narrow limits and dictates of religion, made a fine art of living itself.

Savithri Vaithi from Vishranthi recalled the inspiration that Vasumathi had on the home for the aged.

B. Madhavan from the Samkruta Academy said Vasumathi epitomised the verse of the Bhagavad Gita which outlined the qualities of a woman as an intelligent person with good thoughts, fortitude and patience.

Bhargavi Devendra, honorary secretary of the Red Cross, said that though Vasumathi was deeply religious, she had a progressive outlook of life. She said the WIA would like to create an endowment to perpetuate the memory of Vasumathi.

Manonmani Rangaswamy, a relative, and R. Seshasayee, her son, spoke of her indomitable courage, an attitude for service and unshakeable faith in God.

Susheela Padmanabhan read out a poem written on the departed chairperson of the WIA. `Deviyin Kadithangal,' a book authored by Vasumathi, was distributed to members.

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