Latest news with #PSMOCollege
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Teacher from Malappuram to address World Archaeology Meet
R. Saravanan, history teacher at PSMO College, Tirurangadi, with specialisation in archaeology, will present a paper at the World Archaeological Congress being held in Australia next month. Mr. Saravanan will present his paper titled 'The maritime contacts of Pattanam: Locating the ancient remains in Kerala, India' at Flinders University, Darwin, where the world meet will be held from June 22 to 28. He had presented a paper on archaeology at Alcala University, Madrid, Spain, last year. With a diploma in archaeology from the Archaeological Survey of India, Mr. Saravanan is pursuing doctoral research under Manmathan M.R., head of the Department of History, Calicut University.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
KV Rabiya: Kerala's literacy champion dedicated her life beating all adversaries
KV Rabiya, a wheelchair-bound social activist who championed and expanded the boundaries of Kerala's literacy campaign among adults, died on Sunday at a relative's home in Malappuram district following a brief illness and a long battle with cancer, her family said. She was 59. Rabiya, who was born on February 25,1966 as the second of six children of Moosakutty Haji and Beeyachutty Hajjumma in the small village of Vellilakadu in Malappuram district, was diagnosed with polio at the age of 14 and had her further studies confined to her home and bound to a wheelchair. After completing her initial schooling at the Government high school in Tirurangadi, Rabiya enrolled for a pre-degree course at the PSMO College in Tirurangadi when her legs were crippled by polio. After finishing the course from her home, the Vellilakadu resident in the early 90s was attracted by the ideals of the state government's literacy campaign and began teaching words to the illiterate people in her neighbourhood from the confines of her wheelchair at home. Soon, word of her unique teaching style and her dedication to the work drew hundreds of people to her home from across the district. She worked as an instructor with the Sampoorna Saksharatha Mission of the state government. In 1994, she started the 'Chalanam Charitable Society' which worked to address problems in the rehabilitation of differently-abled persons, promoted health awareness among rural population and stressed on the importance of formal education, especially among women. Under 'Chalanam', there were multiple schools for differently-abled children, a small-scale manufacturing unit for women, a library exclusively for women, a youth club and various programmes aimed at tackling social evils like dowry, superstition and alcoholism. For her efforts in advancing literacy among the adult population, Rabiya received the national youth award from then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao in 1994. In 2022, she was bestowed with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour. Other honours included the Youth Volunteer against Poverty, instituted by the Union government and the UNDP, Nehru Yuva Kendra award, Joseph Mundassery award for social work and the Kerala state literacy samiti award. Rabiya also played a key role in the 'Akshaya' programme of the Kerala government, aimed at bridging the digital divide and bringing government services at doorstep through digitialisation, in her native Malappuram district. In the course of her professional achievements, however, Rabiya's personal health took a toll in the form of cancer in the year 2000. But she fought the disease with chemotherapy in Thrissur and advised other cancer patients to take the path of modern science. Two years later, she successfully completed her Hajj pilgrimage. In 2004, Rabiya slipped on the floor of the bathroom, injuring her spine severely and limiting her movements to a great extent. But even as she lay on the bed, the social activist began scribbling her thoughts on a notepad, which came out in the public domain in the form of four books in subsequent years. One of them was an autobiography 'Swapnangalku Chirakukalundu' (Dreams have wings) in 2009, which received critical acclaim. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan consoled her demise and said Rabiya taught everyone that no limit should restrict anyone from accessing knowledge. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan said: 'Rabiya's life was dedicated to her fellow human beings even as she struggled with illness and the circumstances of her life. Her fortitude in leading the literacy movement despite her illness was commendable.'
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Kerala's pioneering literacy advocate K.V. Rabiya passes away
K.V. Rabiya, 59, a village woman who empowered hundreds of illiterate men and women with education despite being confined to wheelchair for life, died at Tirurangadi on Sunday (May 4, 2025) morning. She received palliative care at Almas Hospital, Kottakkal, for a month before passing away at her sister's home at Mamburam, Tirurangadi. Known as the 'ambassador of literacy movement', Ms. Rabiya defied adversity her entire life. She illuminated countless lives with the power of knowledge. Ms. Rabiya was celebrated as Kerala's Aksharaputri (meaning 'daughter of letters') for her pivotal role in the State's total literacy movement. Despite being wheelchair-bound due to polio since age 14, she taught hundreds of people, spanning ages 8 to 80, as part of the literacy movement. In 1994 she founded Chalanam, an organisation that drove social transformation for thousands in her native Vellilakkad village and beyond. Its pioneering women's empowerment programme mobilised 60-odd neighbourhoods even before initiatives like the Kudumbashree became popular. Ms. Rabiya founded schools for physically challenged children while also promoting libraries and women's empowerment. Her efforts brought essential infrastructure to Vellilakkad village, including roads, power and water supply. She fought against social injustices and mediated in family and social disputes, earning her both admiration and adversaries. Ms. Rabiya's remarkable work earned her widespread recognition, including the prestigious Padma Shri in 2022. Her earlier accolades included the National Youth Award (1993), Kannagi Sthree Shakti Award (1999), UNDP Award (2000) and Joseph Mundassery Award (2010). Challenges and resilience Ms. Rabiya's life was marked by significant challenges: polio left her unable to walk at 14, breast cancer led to a mastectomy at 32 and a spinal injury confined her to bed for over 25 years. She also battled gastrointestinal and lung issues for over a decade and survived two COVID-19 infections, which left lasting effects. She finally succumbed to cancer, bringing an end to her remarkable yet challenging life. Her inspiring story of resilience has entered into school textbooks. Though the literacy movement she spearheaded more than two decades ago has slowed, its impact still persists. Ms. Rabiya wrote an autobiography titled Swapnangalkku Chirakukalundu, which translates to Dreams Have Wings in English. Some cultural leaders even drew parallels, suggesting she would have been considered for sainthood if she were Christian. Her body was brought to PSMO College, Tirurangadi, where people from different walks of life paid their last respects to her. She was buried with State honour at Naduvil Juma Masjid graveyard, Tirurangadi, in the evening.
