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Time of India
05-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
PM Modi mourns death of Padma Shri KV Rabiya
Late KV Rabiya, Kerala's literacy icon NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday mourned the death of KV Rabiya, a distinguished social worker from Malappuram, who passed away at a local hospital on Sunday after a brief illness. She was 59. Affected by polio at the age of 14, Rabiya continued her education from home, confined to a wheelchair, but refused to let physical limitations hinder her mission. In June 1992, Rabiya, a prominent figure in Kerala's literacy movement, launched an adult literacy campaign in Tirurangadi, near her native village of Vellilakkad in Malappuram district. Her unwavering efforts enabled hundreds of people to embrace literacy, transforming lives across generations. In recognition of her contributions to social work, Rabiya was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2022. She had earlier received the national youth award from the ministry of human resource development in 1994, marking her first national recognition. Over the years, she was also the recipient of numerous accolades from the Kerala government and various social organisations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mulheres acima dos 40: Anvisa libera mineral que estica as rugas Beleza Feminina Clique aqui Undo Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned her passing and said, "Pained by the passing away of Padma Shri awardee, KV Rabiya Ji. Her pioneering work in improving literacy will always be remembered. Her courage and determination, particularly the manner in which she battled polio, was also very inspiring. My thoughts are with her family and admirers in this hour of grief." In her commitment to social change, Rabiya founded a volunteer organisation named Chalanam (meaning "motion"), which focused on continuing education, health awareness, and the rehabilitation of physically challenged individuals. Even after being diagnosed with cancer in 2002, she underwent chemotherapy and returned to her activism with renewed strength. In 2009, she penned her autobiography titled 'Swapnangalku Chirakukal Undu' (Dreams Have Wings), chronicling her journey of resilience and service.
New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Padma Shri Rabiya, Kerala's literacy icon, passes away
MALAPPURAM: Padma Shri recipient K V Rabiya, who overcame tremendous odds in life, including polio and cancer, through sheer determination and became an icon of literacy in the state, passed away at Vellilakkad in Malappuram's Tirurangadi on Sunday. The 59-year-old had been bedridden for a long period due to illness. Rabiya, who was struck by polio at age 14, battled unimaginable obstacles to pursue her education and dedicated her entire life to promoting literacy activities in the state. Though she attended college, she could not finish her studies. However, Rabiya continued to help others write and read, while sitting in her wheelchair. In 2022, she was honoured with the Padma Shri for her exceptional contribution to social work and education. Her literacy work began in the early 90s. She launched the volunteer organisation, 'Chalanam', and actively engaged in social work in the fields of continuing education, health awareness and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. Rabiya introduced hundreds to the world of letters. She is also fought various challenges to create awareness among women hailing from orthodox families on the importance of education. In 2002, she was diagnosed with cancer. She successfully underwent chemotherapy and returned to social activities. She wrote her autobiography 'Swapnangalku Chirakukal Undu' (Dreams have wings) in 2009. She has authored four other books, including the memoir 'Mouna Nombarangal' (Silent Pains). A documentary, Rabiya Moves, was made on her life. Rabiya received her first national recognition – the national youth award – from the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 1994. She received several honours over the years, including the Vanitha Ratnam Award from the Kerala government, the State Literacy Mission Award, the Seethi Sahib Award and the Union Chamber International Award.
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.'
Time of India
04-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
KV Rabiya, state's literacy icon, dies at 58
Kozhikode: KV Rabiya , Kerala's literacy icon, whose indomitable spirit helped open the world of letters to hundreds and empowered countless others especially women and disabled despite herself being confined to wheelchair, passed away on Sunday. She was 59. Rabiya, who had been battling cancer for over two decades, was admitted to a private hospital at Kottakkal after her condition worsened. On Saturday night she was shifted to her sister's house at Mampuram where she passed away. Her body was placed for public homage at Tirurangadi PSMO College from 1.30pm to 5.30pm and was laid to rest in the burial grounds of the local mosque in the evening. Despite being confined to the wheelchair since the age of 14 due to polio and later bedridden following a spinal injury sustained following a fall, Rabiya defied all odds and became the beacon of hope and knowledge to women in her native village of Vellilakkad situated on the banks of the Kadalundi river and across Malappuram district. Her inspiring journey also motivated many disabled individuals to rise above adversity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More Undo When the Kerala govt launched the Total Literacy Campaign in 1990, Rabiya was already running a small literacy centre in the verandah of her house, which also became a part of the state literacy campaign, and soon her literacy centre evolved into a model for literacy efforts across the state. Media coverage of her work brought attention to the development needs of the Vellilakkad village and facilities, including roads, power and water supply and telephone connection to the village. The 1.5km long road to her locality was named Akshara Road (Road of Letters). Realizing that literacy alone could not bring in social change, Rabiya expanded her work to include campaign against dowry, superstitions and other social evils. But fate had far more challenges in store for her as she was diagnosed with cancer at age 32 and she underwent a mastectomy, and she broke her spine in a fall when she was 38 years. She also battled many other health issues, including gastrointestinal and two Covid-19 infections. But all that didn't dampen her determination to continue to inspire and empower others. In 1994 she founded Chalanam (meaning movement), to lend a helping hand to hundreds of disabled children in their path to education by running six schools for them. The organization has also been active in rehabilitation of the disabled as well. Rabiya also launched several women empowerment and self-help initiatives, including a small manufacturing unit engaged in manufacture of paper pouches, handicrafts, etc. She also led the activities of Jan Sikshan Sansthan unit which offered several job-oriented courses for women and also ran a women's library. Her life story inspired many and state govt had included a part of her autobiography 'Swapnangalku Chirakukalundu' (Dreams Have Wings) in the Class V Malayalam textbook. She also wrote the book 'Ente Mouna Nombarangal' and articles for magazines and newspapers. Three documentaries Rabiya Chalikkunnu, Oru Aksharam Oru Chuvadu and Pheonix Pakshi chronicle her extraordinary and inspiring life. Even as a teenager battling polio, Rabiya never let her condition define her. She rode pillion on her uncle's bicycle to her school when she was in Class X and completed her pre-degree from Tirurangadi PSMA College. Though confined to wheelchair she started offering tuition classes to from her house and further immersed herself in the world of letters. Her contributions were recognized with numerous honours, including the Nehru Yuva Kendra Award in 1992, National Youth Award in 1993, Bajaj Trust Award, UN International Award in 2000, among many others. The nation honoured her with Padma Shri in 2022. Rabiya was born as the daughter of Karuveppil Moosakutty and Beeyachyttu in Feb 1966. She leaves behind sisters Safia, Asiya, and Arifa. Two other sisters, Khadeeja and Nafeesa, had predeceased her.
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.
