Kochi Corporation honours eminent women personalities

The Kochi Corporation on Thursday honoured 24 illustrious women who have made their mark in various walks of public life, including social, cultural and political fields.

The women who were honoured included the freedom fighter and former Ernakulam Municipality chairperson O.K. Madhavi Amma, the writer Kamala Surayya, former High Court Judge Janaki Amma, senior journalist Leela Menon, dancer Kalakshetram Vilasini, freedom fighter and former Ernakulam Municipal councillor Rathnakala S. Menon, freedom fighter and social worker Anny Berley, Jewish singer Sara Cohen, actress K.P.A.C. Beatrice, Mappilappattu singer Khoulath, Kochi-based Gujarati writer Pratima Asher, Konkani writer Susheela Thrivikrama Bhatt, Urdu novelist Sulekhabai Hussain Sait, actress Ignitta Verghese, dancers Kalamandalam Sugandhi and Kalamandalam Mohana Thulasi, Mary Antony, former theatreperson and widow of P.J. Antony, actress Helen Appachan, playback singer Stella, dancers Sulochana Prabha, Vijayalakshmi Surendranath and Vimala Narayanan who are based in West Kochi and Kamakshi Balakrishnan, social worker and educationist. The Mayor, C.M. Dinesh Mani, presented them with ponnadas. Ms. Surayya was represented by her sister Sulochana Nalappat and Ms. Janaki Amma by her sister Malathi Menon.

The function was held in connection with a seminar on `Role of Women in Development' held at E.M.S. Memorial Town Hall, organised by the Corporation as part of its Project Women Empowerment. The seminar was inaugurated by the CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat.

Presenting the topic at the seminar, writer Sara Joseph said globalisation was usurping even the little space available to women. She said on the occasion of honouring these women, we have the responsibility to think about the social respect that was accorded to them, especially those who were involved in fields such as theatre.

Prof. Sara Joseph pointed out that women had never shown lassitude in coming to the forefront on their own initiative in various fields, but the male-dominated society had always shown extreme hostility towards their efforts. Many articles written by women about 100 years ago revealed the strong stance adopted by these women on questioning both the elitist system based on patriarchy as well as the colonial system and its values.