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.

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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.
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More information about Hemalata Lavanam and her work among joginis (temple prostitutes) and their families, see

http://atheistcentre.in/SecularSocialWork.html


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