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P.
Devakiamma
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The P. Devakiamma Memorial Scholarship is setup by Dr. Raman
Unnikrishnan Menon in loving memory of his mother.
Mrs. Devakiamma was a well-known figure in Ernakulam and in particular,
Kaloor. She was born and raised near Ezhikkara near North Parur.
Following early education and marriage, she followed her husband and
settled down in Ernakulam in 1929.
Mrs. Devakiamma started working as an adult education instructor in1954
at a time there were many older woman with no education or training, and
therefore unable to earn a living. She worked as an instructor for the
Social Welfare Board for over 25 years. In this capacity she touched
many lives in Kaloor and Vennala when these locations were remote and
disconnected rural outskirts of the town of Ernakulum. She was
affectionately known simply as “Teacher” to several generations of
people whom she had several as a selfless individual who would help
anyone, any time, any way she could.
In addition to being a pioneer in women’s education following
independence, she was also a free spirit. At the age of 72, she took an
adventurous tour of India with just another female friend. Later she
traveled widely around the world to Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Canada
and the US. While living in the US (for over 13 years from early 1980’s
to the mid nineties), she traveled throughout the North American
continent. For the Malayalees in Rochester, New York, she was the
beloved “Amma” who would be a ubiquitous figure in all social occasions
and gatherings.
During her varied and fulfilled life, she remained an avid reader,
always connected with politics both national and international. She had
the opportunity of meeting notables including Indira Gandhi as well as
many famous writers. Her love of reading remained with her until the
end. She even published a poem in her late eighties.
Mrs. Devakiamma is survived by her son Dr. R. Unnikrishnan, his wife
Rema and their children Sivan and Jayan, all living in the US. If she
were alive she would be on the telephone with her son admonishing him
why he wouldn’t call “his Bush” and ask him to stop the war in Iraq. So
strong were her views to the end, so evident was her candor and so
strong was her conviction about the invincibility of people she loved.
May God help her soul rest in peace and let her memory live in the minds
of those who knew her.
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