The Lady With The Magic Lamp: Motivation, Women, Inspiration, #1

By Dr. Aswathy Rajan and Manju K Manoha

This is a real life inspirational story of a National Awardee Dr. R. Rajammal (India). She was born in a remote village in the Badaga Community. Against all odds, she achieved success after escaping from a child marriage. She became the first lady from her village to go to college. She is the first lady from the Badaga Community to secure National Award for Best Teacher (India). She was ridiculed as a child as she was a bit dark skinned. She fought discrimination with determination, turned pain into power and after attaining success, she did not forget to help others. She is an ardent social worker and is now living in Sarvalayam (a home for orphans and destitute elders), mentoring the youngsters and serving the elderly. She is very kind & empathetic. She believes in the Joy of Giving.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Author Tree Publishing
• Release date: Aug 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9789391078775

Book preview

THE LADY

AGAINST ALL ODDS, ESCAPING CHILD MARRIAGE

WITH THE

FROM A REMOTE VILLAGE, SHE ROSE TO

MAGIC LAMP

WIN A NATIONAL AWARD

DR R.RAJAMMAL

EDUCATIONIST & SOCIAL WORKER

WHAT WAS THERE IN HER MAGIC LAMP?

WRITTEN BY

DR. ASWATHY RAJAN

&

MANJU K MANOHAR

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the families and friends of Dr Rajammal and that of the authors.

Family of Dr Rajammal:

●  Son: Prithviraj and Her Parents: Ramachandran(late) and Sarasu(Late), her foster parents (KannanJi and Lalitha)

●  Siblings: Her loving brother Krishnan and her sisters Radha & Chinnakili and their families.

●  Heartfelt thanks to the friends and students of Dr Rajammal, inmates & staff of Goodlife Centre and inmates & Staff of Sarvalayam(founded by Kala Madam) and to the staff of IDF (Dr A R K Pillai, Dr Narayan Iyer and team).

Family Members of Dr. Aswathy Rajan:

●  Parents: Rajendra Prasad and Shobana

●  Husband Vimal Vidyadharan and children Vaishnavi & Vanya

●  Mentor and Guide Prof. Upma Bagai (Late)

●  Brother R.Amit Rajan and sister-in-law Aparna Prasad

●  In-laws: Vidyadharan & Vijayakumari, Vipin & Family, Athira & Family, Arathi & Family

●  Family:  Loving cousins, Uncles and Aunts, Grandparents

Family Members & Coaches of Manju K Manohar:

●  Parents:  Manoharan K A and Mini Manoharan

●  Husband Sujish and her son Sameer K S

●  Siblings: Madhu & Roshan, And Manu & Pooja.

●  In-laws: Divakaran K S & Subhadra(Late), Sushanth & family, Smt Padmavathi

●  Family:  Super Supportive cousins, affectionate Uncles & Aunts, and her grandparents

●  Coaches: Tony Robbins, John Mattone, Vikram Dhar, Dr N.Shalini, for helping her unleash her full potential. Special thanks to Coach Snehal who first invited her to write a book (which did not materialise at that point of time).

Both the authors thank their teachers & friends especially from their schools, colleges, offices, Toastmasters International, Rotary International, Panjab University (Dept of Zoology), Professional Speakers Association of India, International Coaching Federation & Successgyan for inspiring them.

Special thanks to Thomas Abraham & Kiruba Jacob for encouraging the authors, when the going seemed really tough. Thank you Dr Thomas George and his Masterminds group. Thanks to friends Deepak Yeshwanth, Abhishek Jha, Mubeen Irshad, Leena G S, Saro Velrajan, Nina John, Barani Kumar, Aruna, Palani,  the S&S Family(Sivakumar, Savitri & Sagarikka) because them becoming authors inspired the authors too. Thanks to lawyer Sunil Jose & Mithlesh (of AuthorsTree Publishing) for their tremendous support. Thank you Jahnavi & Akshat Tewatia for your support as well.

Table of Contents

What famous people say 

Sarada Menon   

Suhasini Manirathnam  

Mala Maniyan    

Foreword

Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash 

Dr A P Jayaraman Menon    

Dr Narayan Iyer   

Mr. H. Krishnamurthy   

Dr Kumar Ganesan   

Avinash Chandra   

Ms. Gayathri Pushkar   

Acknowledgements   

About the Authors (Co-creators) 

Introduction   

Chapter 1   

Chapter 2   

Chapter 3   

Chapter 4   

Chapter 5   

Chapter 6   

Chapter 7   

Chapter 8   

Chapter 9   

Chapter 10   

Pearls of Wisdom from Dr Rajammal 

Testimonials   

Reference   

Appendix

Glossary   

Acronyms     

Artifacts   

Mention in Press or Mass Media 

Photographs   

Recipe of ThuppaDhittu, a Badaga Dessert 

What famous people say

(About Dr Rajammal)

Dr M. Sarada Menon [Late]

The first woman psychiatrist of India [Padma Bhushan Awardee (Government of India Civilian Award)]

Special Award Recipient of the International Association of Psycho-Social Rehabilitation, Boston My congratulations to you for having received the best teacher award from the President. I am sure all the students whom you train imbibe all your goodness and talent and bring credits to you and yours.

Suhasini Manirathnam

(Director/Actor & Social Activist, India)

Rajammal’s is a loud and clear voice when most of the women are muted. Against all odds, she has swam against the tide to be a winner. A winner who shares her wisdom with the less privileged ones. Her work as a teacher is commendable and her contribution to the society is praiseworthy. She is a role model to many who are achievers and also to those who are yet to achieve.

Mala Maniyan

(Film Producer, TV Anchor)

Rajammal teacher, as soon as I hear that name anytime, anywhere I smile and feel so proud.  She is a classic example of how a teacher should be disciplined, strict, warm, supportive, motherly, empathetic, unbiased, practical, honest, sincere, selfless; the list goes on. That's why it's difficult to find a rare gem like her. I feel so happy and blessed to have met her in my lifetime. Wishing and praying that she inspires more and more youngsters so that the society at large becomes a better place to live.

Foreword

Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash (B.E., M.B.A) 

Coonoor       

Sometimes, it becomes difficult to make a choice not because of the lack of knowledge but due to the sheer abundance of matter and material available on the subject. In Dr.R Rajammal's (Rajma to me) case, when commanded and commended to write a foreword to the book The Lady with a Magic Lamp - Dr. R Rajammal by Dr. Aswathy & Manju K Manohar, I was pleasantly surprised but hugely honoured when I was requested to write this foreword.

For her achievements in many fields, be it in education - especially for girl children, social service to the elderly or empowerment of women, Dr Rajammal stands out, and is a huge source of inspiration and motivation. She is one of those rare persons who converted challenges, to stepping stones for her success, against all odds. Where others saw only darkness and gave up, Rajma found a source of light and moved ahead. Her life is full of such incredible instances.

This is a must read book for motivation and inspiration that brings out the undeniable fact that where there is a Will, confidence and courage, swimming against the current is very much possible. As shown by Dr.R. Rajammal.

Her Magic Lamp truly throws light that can lead to a better world!

Note: This is an abridged version of the original message. Detailed version is present towards the end of the book in the testimonial section.

––––––––

Dr A P Jayaraman Menon (Retired Nuclear Scientist (BARC, India)

Who has worked with the Great Indian Scientist Dr A P J Abdul Kalam]

Kerala State award winner for Children’s Literature for his story The RO Man

It is pure professional pleasure to speak about a humanitarian and public service so ably and so admirably delivered by our own Rajammal. She is a jewel on the crown of Indian development foundation in all its educational and philanthropic activities. My first meeting with Rajammal was at Nilgiris (about) some 7 years ago. She is affectionately known as the queen of the Blue Mountains. She had invited me for a series of school science talks in the area which is famous for some of the finest boarding schools of the world.  She is a grassroot leader. She worked for the community immersively (in an immersive manner) for the community sensitively feeling and responding to every pulse of the community.

Her contribution to Indian development foundation is spectacular. As a senior social ambassador she connects us to children and to schools. Connections apart she creates an ethos and a mindset of altruism and philanthropy in the young minds, what nature has given in a small measure is nurtured by her in a large measure, then it becomes a sustainable trait in the young impressionable mind. That contribution is to the next generation of inestimable value. When I look at her philosophy of life one thing stands out, she believes that a good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. I wish her all success in her altruistic endeavours.  I am sure this book about her would inspire many to behave in a more empathetic manner with fellow human beings.

Note: This is an abridged version of the original message. Detailed version is present towards the end of the book in the testimonial section.

Dr. Narayan Iyer

CEO of IDF (NGO)

Social Worker

Rajammal madam is known as a great social worker, social activist and a social reformer, hailing from a remote village of the Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu State, India).  Rajammal madam has been associated with Indian Development Foundation for over 15 years now. She joined as a social ambassador, supporting a lot of causes, particularly related to education, empowerment of the poor and the downtrodden and eradication of leprosy and Tuberculosis (TB).

In short I could summarise by stating that Rajammal madam is a great icon and is a great inspiration for all of us. Dr. Pillai and team IDF join me in wishing her every best on the occasion of the launch of her biography The Lady with the Magic lamp. It’s very rare to find such a selfless type of person in this world. Our salutations to madam Rajammal. Jai ho!  To her.  I am sure this book about her would inspire people around the world.

Note: This is an abridged version of the original message. Detailed version is present towards the end of the book in the testimonial section.

Mr. H. Krishnamurthy,

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Nunthala village and Post the Nilgiris (now working with Chennai Intelligence)

Dr. R.Rajammal is far from being just another jewel in the crown of the Badaga Community. She has truly transformed into an inspirational identity- not only by being the first woman from our community to receive several accreditations,(including from the President), but predominantly for the noble purpose towards which she chose to be committed to. Her journey, from humble beginnings to national level accreditation, is simply remarkable. The amazing woman she is, I truly believe the number of accolades she has received is far less than the number of children who have acquired her help to achieve their dreams. As a fellow member of the community and a well-wisher I am really proud of my sister who is a role model for every girl child. I am more than obliged to thank her for contributing in making this world a better place. I wish her all the success in life.

Indubitably, she is a LADY WITH A MAGIC LAMP..! Let her shine always. Ollithagali.

Dr. Kumar Ganesan

(Founder of AIM school and Ph.D from IIT Madras with 5 years of Post Doctoral research experience with a Nobel Laureate H.C.Brown (USA) 

I met Dr. Rajammal a few years ago when I was invited to a science and technology meet in her school.

It took less than a minute for us to get connected on our first meeting for a science meet in her school. She is full of Knowledge, Experience and Enthusiasm. We have been in constant touch since our first meeting as I’m also in the field of education.

Her love for children is one thing I have to mention. She knows the first and the last name of every student. For her dedication to academics, she was awarded an honorary doctorate.

I take this opportunity to thank Manju K Manohar and her friend Dr. Aswathy Rajan for taking the initiative to appreciate the much deserved achievements of Dr. Rajammal. Long live.

Note: This is an abridged version of the original message. Detailed version is presented towards the end of the book in the testimonial section.

Avinash Chandra [Scientist at ISRO]

M.Tech from California Institute of Technology (Former Student of Dr Rajammal)

School teachers have a very impactful role in the lives and growth of students, and I believe that Rajammal ma’am has set a very high benchmark for educators all over the world to take motivation and guidance from. Even today, at an age when most people love to retire, Rajammal ma’am is providing service for the destitute and under-privileged. The President Medal for excellence in teaching that Rajammal ma’am received several years back, is a testimony to her dedication to her work. I cherish my fortunate association and relationship with Rajammal ma’am and wish her good health, and happy and peaceful living. I sincerely hope that this book will inspire people from all parts of the world. I am sure, this would be a great read for parents, teachers and students alike, in their respective journeys to become extraordinary and in their pursuit of excellence.

Ms. Gayathri Pushkar

(Wall Watchers Film Producer & Director)

I have known Mrs. Rajammal through my aunt Mrs. Kala Kanagasabapathy, who runs Sarvalayam, an Old age and Girls home for the poor and needy. Every time I meet Mrs. Raajamma, I discover a new and lovely aspect of her. She is always full of spirit, waiting to make the world around her a better place with every little gesture and action. She has dedicated her life in this pursuit and her contributions in the field of education are remarkable to say the least. Her journey from humble beginnings to where she is now, spreading light and hope around her is truly inspirational! Her work at Sarvalayam has just begun but one can see the effect she has on the young girls she mentors there. She has instilled confidence and more importantly a sense of ambition to the girls at Sarvalayam. I wish her the very best in all her endeavors!

Acknowledgements

By Dr R.Rajammal

President’s Awardee Teacher & Social Worker

Dear Readers,

When the authors Manju K Manohar and Dr. Aswathy Rajan approached me about this project, I did not want to hide anything. I have laid bare my story, including the mistakes I have made in my life. I have also mentioned the lessons that I had learnt over a period of time from various inspirational figures.

My motto has always been Never Never Never give up, Be Kind and Helpful to others, and Do your duty with utmost dedication.

I was the first in my family to complete graduation. It was only due to education that I could help myself as well as my family. Hence I urge all of you to invest time and energy in self-growth and learning.

I have made my fair share of mistakes. But I never gave up. It was not easy for me being a single mother,