The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Sarojini Varadappan to set up trust with award money

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 24, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Sarojini Varadappan to set up trust with award money

By Our Staff Reporter

Sarojini Varadappan receives a memento from S. Mohan, retired judge, Supreme Court, in Chennai on Wednesday. Also seen are Mrs.Y.G.Parthasarathy, Dean & Director, Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan group of schools and Rajeswari Meiyappan. — Photo: N. Balaji

CHENNAI, FEB. 23. The president of the Indian Red Cross Society, Tamil Nadu Branch, and winner of the Jankidevi Bajaj Award for 2004, Sarojini Varadappan, today said a trust would be formed with the award amount of Rs. 5 lakhs.

The interest accruing from the amount would be used for welfare activities to empower women, she said.

Accepting the felicitations of the representatives of welfare organisations, Ms. Varadappan returned the Rs. 25,000 presented by the Women's Indian Association (WIA) to the Association for giving away scholarships.

A retired Judge of the Supreme Court, S. Mohan, said he wished that the Parliament was full of women, just as the auditorium was packed with women to felicitate Ms. Varadappan. "Instead of begging for 33 per cent reservation, you must ask for 50 per cent," he said. The hallmark of Ms. Varadappan's personality was her humility, he said.

S.V. Chittibabu, former Vice-Chancellor, Madurai Kamaraj and Annamalai Universities, said Ms. Varadappan was a true leader who possessed, "humility, humanity and honesty." She also played tennis and the violin and was the first woman deputy area commandant of the Home Guards.

Mrs. Y.G. Parthasarathy, Dean and Director of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan group of schools, said Ms. Varadappan was a role model for all women. "Her non-attachment to rewards makes her a true karma yogi," she said.

V. Sundaram, former bureaucrat, said Ms. Varadappan exuded charm, humility, reverence and benevolence. "If you are humble, you can never be humbled, was her message," he said.

Meenakshi Chittaranjan, Bharatanatyam exponent and niece of Ms. Varadappan, spoke of the care and concern she showed towards members of the family.

M. Bargavi Devendra, honorary secretary, WIA, Padma Venkataraman, vice-president, Susheela Padmanabhan and Mano Baktavatsalam, members of the felicitation committee also participated.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu

News Update

Stories in this Section

Mechanical composting plant, the only new project

City police await notification on extending Commissionerate's jurisdiction

Sarojini Varadappan to set up trust with award money

Japanese kites on display

Corporation notifies debris dumping sites

Lifetime Achievement Award for N. Mahalingam

540 bags of ration rice seized