Nafeesath Beevi Passes Away

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  Former Deputy Speaker of Kerala Assembly and senior Congress leader A Nafeesath Beevi died here on Monday due to age-related ailments. She was 91.The funeral will be held at Palayam Juma Masjid on Tuesday.

Born in March 1924 as the daughter of Abdul Karim and Hawa Umma, she studied at Pope Pius XI High School at Bharanikkavu, Women’s College, Thiruvananthapuram, SD College, Alappuzha and Law College, Ernakulam.

A person with a brilliant academic career, she enrolled as an advocate in 1953.

Nafeesath Beevi’s political activities began in 1954. She actively participated in the ‘Vimochana Samaram’ and  was imprisoned for being a part of the agitation.

She was active in the organisational work of the Congress and was a member of KPCC and AICC. She was also at the forefront in organising various women’s associations and co-operative societies.

Nafeesath Beevi was elected to the Second Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1960 from the Alappuzha constituency. She was the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly from 1960-64. She had also served as a Member in the Kerala State Women’s Commission.

Speaker N Sakthan, Ministers Ramesh Chennithala, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and V S Sivakumar and senior Congress leaders A K Antony and V M Sudheeran were among those who condoled the death.