Latest news with #V.VasanthiDevi
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
An uncompromising voice for the marginalised: A tribute to V. Vasanthi Devi
V. Vasanthi Devi was a sincere and deeply committed educationist and activist who dedicated her life to the cause of children, dalits and most marginalised communities. Highly educated yet grounded, she never distanced herself from society and worked tirelessly for the upliftment of people. Despite her intellectual brilliance, she remained deeply connected with the common people. That conenction made all the difference. She was active with Palli Kalvi Pathukappu Iyakkam ( movement for saving school education) till her last days. She strongly opposed the National Education Policy and advocated free and equitable education for children. Vasanthi Devi had also pushed for empowerment of School management committees. She firmly belifeved that schools, particularly in rural areas, must function with greater autonomy. She ensured that teachers and parents of underprivileged children were part of such committees. Fearless in her convictions, Vasanthi Devi contested a by-election against former Chief Minister Vasanthi Devi was the most active chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women. She conducted numerous public hearings and exposed atrocities committed against women and also visted women's prisons in the State. She approached every petition with utmost sincerity and dedication. She never sought rewards for recognition. As the first vice chancellor for Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, she brought in several reforms. Her vision was pragmatic and rooted in empowerment. Even in her final days, our conversations were about society at large. She remained lively and always seeking to empower people. She was a close friend of veteran Marxist leader, Mythili Sivaraman and a mentor to many, including me. In keeping with her ideals, she had willed her body to be donated to the Kilpauk Medical College. I recall how she ensured that I completed the procedures for her donation two years ago. She lived by the principles she advocated. All her works, including research papers, have been given to Roja Muthiah Library. We were working to create a digital archive in her name. (Advocate Sudha Ramalingam is a close friend of Vasanthi Devi)
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Acclaimed academician Vasanthi Devi passes away at 87
V. Vasanthi Devi, former Vice Chancellor of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University and former chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women, passed away in Chennai on Friday following a sudden heart attack. She was 87. Prof. Vasanthi Devi was the first woman vice chancellor of a university in Tamil Nadu, a post that she held for two consecutive terms from 1992 to 1998. After her retirement, she was a member of the State Planning Commission (SPC) before being appointed as the Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women (TNSCW) in 2002. A high point in her long list of achievements was when she contested against AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa in the R.K. Nagar constituency in 2016 on the VCK symbol as the common candidate of the DMDK-led People's Welfare Front. Interestingly, the contest pitted her against a chief minister whose government appointed her as the Vice Chancellor, nominated her to the SPC and then to the TNSCW. Born in 1938 in Dindigul, Prof. Vasanthi Devi came from an illustrious family. She was the granddaughter of Vengal Chakkarai Chettiar, a freedom fighter, trade unionist and Christian theologist who was the president of the All India Trade Union Congress between 1954 and 1957. She came to Chennai (then Madras) in 1954 to join Queen Mary's College and later did her Masters from Presidency College. She did her PhD at University of the Philippines, Manila in 1980. Even while pursuing her academic career, she actively took up several causes – women's rights, child rights and, above all, quality education for all. Prof. Vasanthi Devi is survived by her son Narendra Subramanian, Professor of Political Science, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, and daughter Ajantha Subramanian, author and anthropologist. Her body will be donated to the Kilpauk Medical College, the family said. 'She was a great intellectual but never lost touch with the grassroot,' said Sudha Ramalingam, Senior Advocate and a longtime companion. 'That connection made all the difference,' she added. She was active with Palli Kalvi Pathukappu Iyakkam (movement for saving school education) till her last days and strongly opposed the National Education Policy and advocated free and equitable education for children. Prof. Vasanthi Devi had also pushed for empowerment of School management committees. She firmly believed that schools, particularly in rural areas, must function with greater autonomy. She ensured that teachers and parents of underprivileged children were part of such committees, Ms. Ramalingam observed. CM's condolences In his condolence message, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said, 'She had been campaigning against the ill effects of the National Education Policy 2020, which Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed.' He also noted that she had voiced strong criticism of the Draft UGC Regulations, 2025. Mr. Stalin added that she had been vocal in opposing the role of religion in education. 'Her sudden demise is an irreparable loss to the education sector and to human rights-based activism.' In his condolence message, P. Shanmugam, CPI(M) State general secretary, said that Prof. Vasanthi Devi was a staunch supporter of the Left movement and always stood up for the rights of the common people.
