Achamma Mathai

Achamma Mathai was an Indian social worker, women's rights activist,^[1] a co-founder of Dr. John Mathai Centre, an institute of Information Technology, Economics, Management, Theatre Arts and Music under the University of Calicut and the wife of John Mathai, the first Railway Minister of India and a former Finance minister.^[2] During her stay in Delhi, when her husband was serving in the Union Ministry, she was reported to have been involved in activities related to children's education.^[3] During the riots that followed Indian independence, she worked alongside Sucheta Kripalani for the rehabilitation of the riot victims.^[1] She served as a member of the Advisory Committee for Libraries in 1955^[4] and as the chairperson of the Central Social Welfare Board in the early Sixties.^[5] The Government of India honoured her in 1954, with the award of Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award for her contributions to the society,^[6] placing her among the first recipients of the award.

Key Information

Achamma Mathai
Achamma Mathai, from a 1936 issue of The Indian Listener
Born	Kerala, India
Occupation	Social worker
Spouse	John Mathai
Awards	Padma Shri
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1. ^ ^{a b} Bela Rani Sharma (1998). Women's Rights and World Development. Sarup & Sons. ISBN 9788176250153. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
2. ^ "JMCTSR". JMCTSR. 2015. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
3. ^ Ranjana Sengupta (2007). Delhi Metropolitan: The Making of an Unlikely City. Penguin Books India. ISBN 9780143063100. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
4. ^ Virendra Kumar, ed. (1975). "Committees and Commissions in India, 1947-73: 1977 (4 v.)". Concept Publishing Company. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
5. ^ Rod Parker-Rees, Jenny Willan (2006). Early Years Education: Policy and practice in early education and care, Volume 3. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780415326728. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
6. ^ "Padma Shri" (PDF). Padma Shri. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2014.

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