Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 31: Noted social worker and former principal of School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, Dr Olinda Pereira passed away on Sunday May 31. She was 95.
Born on August 15, 1925, Dr Olinda Pereira contributed immensely in the field of education and social service, especially in helping senior citizens and elderly care.
A pioneering educationist, she worked for the promotion of women's education and empowerment in various parts of the country.
Third of three children to Martin and Lily, Dr Pereira pursued her education up to BA at St Agnes College, followed by B Ed from St Ann’s. She taught in St Mary’s High School at Marjil for 12 years while pursuing concurrently an external course leading to MA in psychology from Banaras Hindu University. She followed it up with a doctorate from Mysore University.
She was part of the founding team of School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya and served as its principal from 1961 to 1982. On retirement, she went to Delhi to start the Institute for Working Women’s Hostel and Women’s Development Centre, staying there from 1984 to 1991. This was followed by a transfer to Nairobi where she set up a new Provincial House.
After returning to Mangaluru, she founded Vishwas Trust in 1999, an organisation promoting house-based care of the elderly, besides providing a day-care centre for the elderly.
She served as the president of National Committee on Women. Her publications included 'Understanding Children', 'Adjustment and its Correlation among Pre Adolescents' and 'Domestic Workers' Struggle'. She started city community development centre, family welfare organisation, kindergarten at Ullal and many other organisations in Mangaluru.
She was the recipient of several awards, including Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award from McMaster University, Hamilton in 1979, Women Achiever Award from St Agnes College in 1997, Sandesha Award for Social Service in 2002; Rachana Woman of the Year in 2008, Veera Rani Abbakka Award (for Social Service) and Karavali Honarary Award 2015-16.
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