Is there no one to take care of Dr Subhadramma?

One should be flabbergasted at the plight of Dr Subhadramma, 80, which was portrayed by K. Deepa, reporter of Mathrubhumi Malayalam daily, in connection with the International Women’s Day on March 8. A life-time of study and research gone waste for her? Unmarried and old-aged, there is no one to look after her. Even her pension dues have not been properly paid.

Several doctorate degrees-holder, polyglot, and the epitome of women’s education, Dr Subhadramma was found lying coiled in a corner of Thampanoor Railway Station in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, as no one was prepared to rent out a room to her.

She was one of the few women who earned her doctorate degree from the University of Kerala in earlier times. It seems she had ancestral properties at Karamana and Thiruvananthapuram worth a fortune. But the properties were all lost or cornered by interested people.

Now she does not have to beg for her food as she earns a monthly pension of Rs 5,600 for her having been a primary school teacher. Arrears of pension and other benefits remain unpaid. She does not have a roof to sleep under. Daughter of Vidwan K.Kesava Pillai and Ponnamma Pillai, who were teachers, Subhadra had chosen to pursue a career of learning and teaching. Sshe became a Hindi Vidushi by the age of 18 years. She started her career as Hindi teacher at Karamana middle school, continued her studies. She taught at high schools at Nedumangad, Attingal and Malayinkeezh. When she started teaching at Cotton Hill School, she again pursued higher education and reseach. She took her doctorate in Hindi from University of Kerala in 1962 and D.Litt in 1968. Later she got doctorate degree in Malayalam. She pursued her studies in English and took MA in English. She followed it up by taking doctorate in English. She got diploma in Kannada, Tamil and Sanskrit. She became life-time member in Linguistics Society of India, Lexicographical Society and Dravidian Linguistics Society. Lecturer in Thrissur R V Puram Training College, R V Puram Engineering College, Govt Hindi Training Institute, Attoor N V K S High School principal, B.Ed College principal, the list of her vocations goes on like this.

After retirement she pursued further research. But on her return to her native place, she found that all the properties were alienated. She stayed at the Adhyapaka Bhavan at Petta for a few days. Afterwards she stayed alone at a house. But now no one is prepared to rent out a room to her.

One should have awe of her for her accomplishments in the field of education. Would we give her a Padma award for serving the country in different capacities? Now we have thrown her out to the streets.--OJ