Mrs. C. Prema Kumar, the erstwhile Hony., Gen., Secretary of The Madras Seva Sadan was a lady who commanded respect wherever she went.
Mrs. C. Prema Kumar was the grandniece of Sir M. Venkatasubba Rao and Lady Andal Venkatasubba Rao. She was also the former Correspondent of the Lady Andal Venkatasubba Rao School in Chetpet.
Known for her sharp business acumen, Mrs. Kumar dreamed of setting up a school that was child – centric rather than being focused on one aspect of the academia. This vision was realized with the foundation of the Lady Andal Venkatasubba Rao School.
Mrs. C. Prema Kumar, was indeed one of the pillars of The Madras Seva Sadan. Being an exemplary visionary and perfectionist, she was the driving force behind The Madras Seva Sadan schools in Chetpet and Tambaram.
Mrs. Kumar was a pioneer of Inclusive Education in India. She worked tirelessly towards her goal of integrating differently abled children in mainstream education. To achieve this goal, Mrs. C. Prema Kumar started an Occupational Therapy Centre and a Learning Centre to cater to the needs of special children.
Mrs. C. Prema Kumar advocated a happy and conducive environment for a child, where learning would be achieved, holistically. She believed in giving identity to a child to follow the teaching and learning process in his/her unique way.
Mrs. C. Prema Kumar served the community with a drive that could be matched by none other. During her lifetime she held various positions, such as:
Hony., Gen., Secretary (April 1976 – May 2017) The Madras Seva Sadan, a Multipurpose Social Welfare and Charitable Organization founded in 1928 – which over the years has run an orphanage, an old age home, a mental patients rehabilitation centre, a centre for visually challenged children, a vocational centre, hostels and empowerment programmes for women and students, as also the Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall, ORCA - Swimming Academy and seven Schools.
Correspondent (April 1976 – April 2011) The Madras Seva Sadan Industrial School, Chetpet.
Correspondent (April 1976 – May 2017) The Madras Seva Sadan Hr., Sec., School, Chetpet.
Correspondent ( April 1976 – May 2017) The Madras Seva Sadan Hr., Sec., School, Tambaram.
Correspondent (July 1987 – May 2017) Lady Andal Venkatasubba Rao Mat., Hr., Sec., School, Chetpet.
Correspondent (July 2012 – May 2017) Sir Mutha School (CBSE), Chetpet.
Member (2004 – 2017) & President (2006 – 2007) Soroptimist International Chennai – (a global voice for women through Awareness, Advocacy and Action)
Honorary Secretary (1995 – May 2017) The Christmas Fair Association (a 60 year old Association helping various charitable organizations).
Founder Committee Member Harrington Road Residents Association (promoting improvements in infra-structure, togetherness and self-help in the neighbourhood)
Governing Council Member Tamil Nadu State Chapter of the International Society for Technology in Education in India (ISTE India)
Trustee (2006 – 2017)
MemberNational Association for the Blind
Member (2001 – 2017) International Women's Association
For her tireless and indelible work in the field of Education and for the society, she was awarded with:
Award for outstanding services in the field of education on International Women's Day on the 8th of March 2006 by Tamil Nadu Arya Vysya Mahila Sabha, Madras Unit.
Awarded for outstanding contribution towards Education by Global Tamil Telugu People Foundation on Teachers Day, 5th September 2006.
Vocational Excellence Award 2011 presented by the Rotary Club of Chennai Towers in recognition of excellence, result oriented performance and commendable achievement in Education.
Outstanding Women Achiever Award presented by the Dr.M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai in recognition of exemplary contribution for the upliftment of medically challenged people on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2012.
‘ Bharathi Award’ for Social Service was presented by the former Judge of the Supreme Court, Hon’ble Mr. Justice S . Natarajan on the occasion of the 131st Birth Anniversary of Mahakavi Bharathi on 30/03/13.
Achievement Award in Social Work and Education was presented by Vasavi Club affiliated to Vasavi Clubs International on the occasion of International Womens Day 2013.
SHEROES AWARD 2014 for excellence in education and in particular her inclusive education policy. This award has been instituted by the C.K. Family to recognise extraordinary women from various walks of life, to commemorate the memory of Dr. Hemalatha. The event was organised marking the 100th year of Mother’s Day.
Women Achievers’ Award 2014 for outstanding women from Jaguar LandRover, VST Grandeur and RITZ Magazine for excellence in education.
ICON award for education from Jeppiaar College of Engineering on 25/02/2015.
Best Philanthropic Edupreneur in the South Award on 25/04/2016, by The Education Post(publishers of magazines and weekly tabloids for Management, Engineering Colleges and Schools and also a Centre for Human Resource Professionals), Karunya University and Parivartnam.
Besides being a wonderful mentor, Mrs. Kumar was a lifelong learner. She was fond of arts and sports, besides being a voracious reader.
Mrs. C. Prema Kumar will forever be immortalized in each and every individual’s heart who has had the privilege of having known her.
