Sarojini Varadappan

Sarojini Varadappan (21 September 1921 − 17 October 2013) was an Indian politician, educationist and social worker from the state of Tamil Nadu. She was the daughter of former Chief Minister of Madras, M. Bhaktavatsalam.

Early life

Sarojini was born in Madras on 21 September 1921 to Bhaktavatsalam and Gnanasundarambal. Her father Bhaktavatsalam was a student at the Madras Law college when she was born. She studied till ninth standard at Lady Sivaswami Girls School when her education was discontinued. She studied Hindi through private home tuitions and completed her Visharadh. After two years of imprisonment, he was released in 1944. Her niece Mrs. Jayanthi Natarajan was a minister in the central cabinet. She died on 17 October 2013, at the age of 92.

Music

Sarojini learnt music from Parur Sundaram Iyer and sung prayer songs at Congress meetings. She also learnt Kshetragna padams and Tamil padams from Mylapore Gowri Ammal, Bharatiyar songs from E. Krishna Iyer and Hindi bhajans from Veena Visalakshi. In 1987, Government of India appointed the High Power Committee on Nursing and Nursing Profession with Sarojini Varadappan as its chairperson to review the roles, functions, status, preparation of the Nursing Personnel, nursing services and other issues related to the development of Nursing profession and to make suitable recommendation to the Government. The committee submitted its report in 1989.

Honours

Sarojini was awarded India's fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri in 1973. The same year, she received Jamnalal Bajaj Award from the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation. In 2009, Sarojini was awarded India's third highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan for social service. On 5 March 2009, she was honoured at a function in Chennai. She was selected Sheriff of Madras for 1983.