Pertti - 2008-3-21 at 20:51
Send here two articles about the demise of Mrs Hemalata Lavanam, an Indian social worker and atheist activist in Andhra Pradesh. She worked long time
with rehabilition of joginis (temple prostitutes) and their families. As a result of the activities of Mrs Hemalata and her spouse Lavanam the
recruiting of joginis was banned in Andhra Pradesh.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/20/stories/2008032057350400.htm
Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada
Hemalatha Lavanam passes away
Staff Reporter
VIJAYAWADA: Social activist Hemalatha Lavanam, daughter of revolutionary Telugu poet Gurram Joshua, died here on Wednesday. She was 75 and is survived
by husband Lavanam, a social activist and an atheist.
She suffered from ovarian cancer. Though the ailment was diagnosed in September last, she continued her social work among the Joginis of Nizamabad
district through her organisation Samskar. She worked to reform and rehabilitate the Joginis with a remarkable commitment. Her work made the then N.T.
Rama Rao Government enact a legislation in 1988 to eradicate the Jogini system.
Hemalatha is also known for her work among the de-notified tribes of Stuartpuram in Guntur districts and a few other settlements in the State, where
she doggedly pursued her goal of weaning away younger generation of the tribes from robberies. She, along with her husband, also worked to take up
relief and rehabilitation in the wake of the cyclone that wreaked havoc in Diviseema area in Krishna district in the 70s. Hemalatha had also set up a
foundation in her father?s name, which every year confers an award on an outstanding poet. She was last year awarded an honorary doctorate by the
Potti Sriramulu Telugu University. The last rites would be performed on Thursday.
Death condoled
The Jana Chaitanya Vedika condoled the death of Hemalata Lavanam. Members of the SC, ST Officers? Forum for Justice termed her death as a deep void in
the fields of literature and community welfare.
---
http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20080319/913...
Social worker Hemalata Lavanam passes away vijayawada | Wednesday, Mar 19 2008 IST
Well known social worker, writer and poet Hemalata Lavanam, who led a life-long crusade against untouchability and caste system, passed away here this
evening.
She was 75. She is survived by her husband.
Hemalata, a social reformer fought against superstitions and beliefs like witchcraft and sorcery. She set up the "Joshua foundation" to honour
outstanding poets in various languages. She raised donations from the public to honour poets every year.
Daughter of eminent Telugu poet and Padma Vibhushan Joshua, Hemalata was born in Vinukonda in Guntur district in 1932. She rebelled against caste
system and social inequalities. Along with her husband Lavanam, she travelled extensively in the country and abroad, advocating her ideals.
Hemalata was honoured by the Andhra Pradesh government with Atma "Gaurava Puraskaram" and "Ugadi Puraskaram" in 1986. The Potti Sriramulu Telugu
University honoured her with a Doctorate in 2007. She was also a member of the Senates of Andhra and Nagarjuna Universities.
She published her autobiography depicting her saga of struggle for propagating atheism, humanism and social change. She also received 'Atheist
Achievement Award' from USA, 'Red and White Bravery award in 2003, and literary award from Telugu University. Her novel "Jivana Prabhatam" had
received the Telugu University award and 'Desasnehi' award from the Karnataka government.
-----
More information about Hemalata Lavanam and her work among joginis (temple prostitutes) and their families, see
http://atheistcentre.in/SecularSocialWork.html
Pertti