Matribhumi Samachar English
Summary
Carnatic Awards 2025 on 19th June, 2025 honoured 7 eminent women with life-time achievement awards at a formal event held in a city hotel, to recognise phenomenal work done by them in their field of profession & service to the society.
Dr. Surekha Ramachandran is a pioneering advocate, compassionate leader, and relentless champion for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families.
Mrs. Anitha Kuppusamy is a renowned Tamil folk and Carnatic singer, as well as a popular television host, celebrated for her contributions to Naatupura Pattu, the traditional folk music of Tamil Nadu. From a young age, Mrs. Anitha aspired to become a singer and went on to build a remarkable career rooted in cultural heritage.
Ms.A.S.Kumari Vijayakumar –Chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Commission for women.
Srimathy Mohan – Textile entrepreneur and Researcher
Ms.Kirthana RaamSukaesh- Founder Hope for Critters
Rotary Club of Chennai Carnatic President Rtn.Bhuvana Ramesh said it’s an honour for the club to give away Awards to the best 7 women finalised by the members.
Recognizing Chennai’s Finest by Rotary Club of Chennai Carnatic.
Rotary Club of Chennai Carnatic is part of the Rotary International District 3234 which comprises of all the Rotary Clubs in the Greater Chennai Metropolitan area.
The Award:
Rotary Club of Chennai Carnatic is honoured in awarding a unique set of individuals the lifetime achievement awards. This year all the awardees were eminent Ladies of Chennai. These ladies have attained the highest glory in their respective professions and have impacted lives of thousands of people over the years. The Chennai Carnatic Awards were instituted in the year 2015 and have been recognizing people in the field of business, entertainment, social work, defence, public service and sports.
Awardees:
This year’s recipients were all women –
- A.S. Kumari Vijayakumar
With a distinguished career rooted in healthcare and a profound commitment to social welfare, Mrs. A.S. Kumari Vijayakumar exemplifies dedicated leadership. Holding qualifications in Food and Nutrition (B.Sc.), Medical Laboratory Technology (PGDMLT), and Hospital Administration (MBA), her professional journey began at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, in December 1983. Here she served as a Senior Scientific Officer and actively contributed to the “Prevention of Sexual Harassment Committee” and as a Director of the “Thrift Society.” Beyond her institutional roles, Mrs. Vijayakumar’s unwavering dedication to community service is evident in her leadership as the General Secretary of the Apollo Hospital staff union for three decades, and personally organising over 500 medical camps for the underprivileged. Her consistent efforts in facilitating cancer screenings for women, providing HIV counselling, particularly for children, and supporting the education and healthcare of children in orphanages, demonstrate a deep commitment to societal betterment. Her exemplary contributions to public service have been further recognized by her recent appointment as Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women, Chennai.
- Srimathy Mohan is recognized for her remarkable journey across diverse industries, her deep commitment to preserving India’s textile heritage, and her empowering role as a woman entrepreneur. With over 25 years of experience spanning information technology, insurance, merchandising, and marketing, Srimathy has showcased exceptional versatility and leadership. Building on foundational years in business consulting at Cognizant Technology Solutions, she transitioned to a path of purpose, dedicating herself to textile research, academic engagement, and cultural storytelling. As the founder of Sthree, a heritage handloom brand, she has combined design sensibility with cultural revival. Through projects like the recreation of Kaikattu Sungudi of Madurai, Ayyampettai Ikat, Koorainadu Silks, and Korvai Kanjivarams, Mohan has played a vital role in preserving and reimagining lost traditions, exemplifying inspiring transformation through tradition and fostering dignity through design.
- Kirthana Raamsukaesh, founder of Hope for Critters, established this impactful animal welfare non-profit in Pondicherry in 2020. Leveraging over a decade of banking experience, Kirthana has led the organization to rescue and rehabilitate thousands of animals, implement extensive vaccination and sterilization programs, and successfully rehome abandoned pets. Her innovative initiatives include Vetri’s Pet Food Bank, which nourishes over 4,500 animals daily, alongside crucial involvement in disaster relief, pandemic feeding drives, and animal safety campaigns through reflective collar campaigns and water bowl distributions. Her commitment to animal welfare and her unwavering resolve to ensure dignity and protection for all creatures have made a profound impact on the community.
- Anitha Kuppusamy is a renowned Tamil folk and Carnatic singer, as well as a popular television host, celebrated for her contributions to Naatupura Pattu, the traditional folk music of Tamil Nadu. From a young age, Mrs. Anitha aspired to become a singer and went on to build a remarkable career rooted in cultural heritage.
A passionate cultural ambassador, she has performed over 3,000 concerts in India and abroad alongside her husband Mr. Pushpavanam Kuppusamy, spreading the rich heritage of Tamil folk music. Her work goes beyond entertainment integrating powerful social messages on issues such as AIDS, dowry, substance abuse, female infanticide, child labour, education for girls, and the importance of breastfeeding.
In addition to her musical journey, Anitha has served as a judge on various television reality shows and authored several cookbooks. She has also hosted popular TV cookery programs, further showcasing her versatility. Mrs. Anitha Kuppusamy exemplifies dedication, versatility, and the enduring power of art in transforming society.
Though she initially aimed for a career in playback singing, her extensive travel and commitment to live performances led her to fully embrace the world of folk music—where she continues to inspire and empower through her voice.
- Surekha Ramachandran is a pioneering advocate, compassionate leader, and relentless champion for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families.
In 1984, Dr. Ramachandran founded the Down Syndrome Federation of India (DSFI) with just six children, an initiative that has since grown to empower over 7,000 families nationwide. Her visionary leadership has ensured extensive pan-India outreach, including to historically underserved regions. This commitment was recently exemplified by organizing Dibrugarh’s first support camp in 2024 and another in Shillong this year.
Dr. Surekha Ramachandran is a prominent global voice for inclusion, having addressed the United Nations on genetic discrimination and spoken at World Down Syndrome Day events in both Geneva and New York. Her insights on parent empowerment have also inspired audiences at the Asia Pacific Down Syndrome Federation.
Under her guidance, Parent Support Groups have become crucial lifelines across India, from major metropolitan areas like Delhi to remote regions such as Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. She established MathruMandir, Chennai’s first Down Syndrome center, which provides free therapies and vocational training. Her innovative contributions include India’s first caregiver course, the swift implementation of virtual support during the pandemic, and flagship initiatives like the India International Down Syndrome Conference and the National Down Syndrome Games.
An accomplished author and researcher, her influential works, With Love from Babli and Down but Not Out, alongside her studies on cognitive health in Down Syndrome, have significantly shaped best practices in the field. Her profound impact has been widely recognized through numerous accolades, including Lifetime Achievement, Humanitarian, and Women of the Year awards.
Dr. Surekha Ramachandran’s life serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of unwavering compassion and determination in breaking barriers and uplifting countless lives.
All the awardees were felicitated by the President Rtn.Bhuvana Ramesh, and the Past Presidents of the club. Each awardee was given a plague and citation. The citations were read by the senior members of the Club.
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