KOCHI: THE Samakalika Malayalam Vaarika’s, a sister publication of ‘The New Indian Express’, Social Service Award for the year 2015 will be presented to Sajini Mathew of Snehabhavan at a function to be held at Bharath Hotel Auditorium at 4.30 pm on Saturday. The award, comprising a plaque, citation and a purse of `1 lakh, will be presented by writer Sara Joseph in the presence of filmmaker Ashiq Abhu, his wife and actor Rima Kallingal and documentary director Manilal.
Sajini Mathew was selected by a jury comprising senior IAS officer K Suresh Kumar, veteran journalist A N Raveendra Das and State Child Life Commission member J Sandhya from a list of about 1,000 names nominated by readers. Sajini is the force behind Snehabhavan, which has been giving care to destitute girls for the past 15 years. She started giving care to needy girls in February 2000, and brought more than 100 orphaned girls back to normal life. Currently, there are 14 inmates at Snehabhavan who are studying in classes from Class IV to Plus-II. The institution is functioning without any financial support from the government or private agencies.
Sajini has also been working among the tribal people and members of Dalit communities for many years, with the support of her husband Mathews and a few social workers. Snehabhavan is managed by a seven-member committee headed by Sajini.