The ‘Samakalika Malayalam Vaarika’ published by ‘The New Indian Express Group’ presented its maiden award for social service to Razia Banu at a function here on Saturday.
Razia Banu, in her reply speech, explained the circumstances that prompted her to look after the aged women.
She said that she had suffered a lot in her life. She lost her mother, Hajira, in childhood and does not remember seeing her. Her father, Abdul Wahab, died when she was studying in her tenth standard.
She married her relative, Nijam Ali, when she was 19. But within two years, Nijam Ali died of leukaemia.
Later, she studied nursing and worked at Devi Nursing Home and looked after the destitutes in her spare time.
Though her relatives advised her to remarry, she preferred to devote her life for the suffering persons. At first, the home functioned in a rented building. But now it has acquired its own building with the contributions of generous people, she said.
Noted writer C Radhakrishnan spoke on ‘Media and their social responsibility.’ Acting editor of the ‘Samakalika Malayalam Vaarika’ Saji James introduced the award winner to the audience.
Assistant General Manager P Suresh Kumar proposed a vote of thanks.