Sarojini Varadappan
Encyclopedia
Sarojini Varadappan is an Indian social worker from the state of Tamil Nadu. She is the daughter of former Chief Minister of Madras, M. Bhaktavatsalam
.
at the Madras Law college when she was born. She studied till ninth standard at Lady Sivaswami Girls School when her education was discontinued. She studied Hindi through private home tuitions and completed her Visharadh. As her family objected to her travelling to an exam center to write her exams, her Prathmic exams were conducted at home. In her later years, she explained that her education was curtailed due to the conservativeness of her family. She was associated with the Indian National Congress
and the Congress Seva Dal during her early days.
At an early age, she was married to her cousin Varadappan. Sarojini was 21 years old when her father was arrested at the height of the Quit India Movement
. After two years of imprisonment, he was released in 1944.
Sarojini resumed her studies after marriage and completed her Master's in political science
from Mysore University through correspondence. She also did her M. A.
in Vaishnavism
from Madras University. Sarojini got her PhD
at the age of 80 for her thesis on "Social Service and the Swami Narayan Movement". Sarojini is also an ardent devotee of the Paramacharya of Kanchi, Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi.
and Hindi bhajans from Veena Visalakshi.
Academy.
Sarojini has been a member of the Indian Red Cross Society for over 35 years. When Marri Chenna Reddy
was the Governor of Tamil Nadu, she was appointed President of the society. This was contrary to the usual practice of requesting the Governor's wife to preside over the society. When contacted, Channa Reddy's wife had declined the request due to her lack of proficiency in Tamil and instead asked Sarojini to preside over the organisation.
in 1973. She was awarded the Jankidevi Bajaj award for 2004 at a function in Chennai held on February 23, 2005. In 2009, Sarojini was awarded India's third highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan
for social service. On March 5, 2009, she was honoured at a function in Chennai.
M. Bhaktavatsalam
Minjur Bhaktavatsalam was an Indian lawyer, politician and freedom fighter from the state of Tamil Nadu. He served as the Chief Minister of Madras state from October 2, 1963 to March 6, 1967...
.
Early life
Sarojini was born in Madras on September 21, 1921 to Bhaktavatsalam and Gnanasundarambal. Her father Bhaktavatsalam was a studentStudent
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
at the Madras Law college when she was born. She studied till ninth standard at Lady Sivaswami Girls School when her education was discontinued. She studied Hindi through private home tuitions and completed her Visharadh. As her family objected to her travelling to an exam center to write her exams, her Prathmic exams were conducted at home. In her later years, she explained that her education was curtailed due to the conservativeness of her family. She was associated with the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
and the Congress Seva Dal during her early days.
At an early age, she was married to her cousin Varadappan. Sarojini was 21 years old when her father was arrested at the height of the Quit India Movement
Quit India Movement
The Quit India Movement , or the August Movement was a civil disobedience movement launched in India in August 1942 in response to Mohandas Gandhi's call for immediate independence. Gandhi hoped to bring the British government to the negotiating table...
. After two years of imprisonment, he was released in 1944.
Sarojini resumed her studies after marriage and completed her Master's in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from Mysore University through correspondence. She also did her M. A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu, or his associated Avatars such as Rama and Krishna, as the original and supreme God....
from Madras University. Sarojini got her PhD
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
at the age of 80 for her thesis on "Social Service and the Swami Narayan Movement". Sarojini is also an ardent devotee of the Paramacharya of Kanchi, Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi.
Music
Sarojini learnt music from Parur Sundaram Iyer and sung prayer songs at Congress meetings. She also learnt Kshetragna padams and Tamil padams from Mylapore Gowri Amma, Bharatiyar songs from E. Krishna IyerE. Krishna Iyer
E. Krishna Iyer was an Indian lawyer, freedom-fighter, classical artist and activist who was responsible for popularizing the dying art of Bharatanatyam in South India.- Early life :...
and Hindi bhajans from Veena Visalakshi.
Social activities
Sarojini was involved in social activities ever since her early days. Her mother Gnanasundarambal was associated with the Women's India Association (WIA) and Sarojini joined the organisation at an early age. Sarojini also served as the President of the WIA. Under her leadership, the number of branches of the organisation increased from four to 76. Sarojini is also the president of the MylaporeMylapore
Mylapore is a cultural hub and neighborhood in the southern part of the city of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, India. Earlier, Mylapore used to be called Vedapuri....
Academy.
Sarojini has been a member of the Indian Red Cross Society for over 35 years. When Marri Chenna Reddy
Marri Chenna Reddy
Marri Channa Reddy was an Indian politician active in several states. He was the governor of Uttar Pradesh , governor of Punjab , governor of Rajasthan from February 1992 to May 1993, and governor of Tamil Nadu from 1993 until his death. He was a leader of Indian National Congress Party...
was the Governor of Tamil Nadu, she was appointed President of the society. This was contrary to the usual practice of requesting the Governor's wife to preside over the society. When contacted, Channa Reddy's wife had declined the request due to her lack of proficiency in Tamil and instead asked Sarojini to preside over the organisation.
Honours
Sarojini was awarded India's fourth highest civilian award, the Padma ShriPadma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
in 1973. She was awarded the Jankidevi Bajaj award for 2004 at a function in Chennai held on February 23, 2005. In 2009, Sarojini was awarded India's third highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
for social service. On March 5, 2009, she was honoured at a function in Chennai.