- Wheelchair bound since 14, Rabiya dedicated her life to Women’s Empowerment
- Rabiya’s body placed for Public Homage at Tirurangadi PSMO College
Kerala's literacy icon, KV Rabiya, passed away at 59 after battling cancer. Despite being wheelchair-bound since 14, she dedicated her life to adult literacy, women's empowerment, and social reform. Rabiya's body was placed for public homage at Tirurangadi PSMO College and laid to rest in a local mosque.
Hailing from Malappuram district, Kerala, she grew up in a conservative Muslim family and shared a deep interest in social service and education. At the age of 14, she became paraplegic due to polio, confining her to a wheelchair. Despite all odds, she played a significant role in Kerala's Total Literacy Campaign in the 1990s. She led literacy classes in her home and neighborhood, teaching undereducated adults, particularly women, to read and write. Her work contributed to the rise in literacy in Malappuram and inspired similar efforts across India. Rabiya's home became a symbolic literacy classroom, inspiring disabled individuals to overcome adversity. Her work also highlighted the development needs of her village, including roads and telephone connections.
In 1994, Rabiya founded Chalanam, a movement supporting disabled children's education and rehabilitation. She launched women empowerment initiatives, including a manufacturing unit and Jan Sikshan Sansthan unit, offering job-oriented courses and a women's library.
Due to her dedication and determination to create a powerful society, she was featured in the Class V Malayalam textbook and has been documented in three documentaries based on her inspiring life. She has also written the book 'Ente Mouna Nombarangal', and articles for magazines and newspapers.
Being in a wheelchair, she was later diagnosed with cancer, mastectomy, spine fracture, gastrointestinal issues, and COVID-19, but she remained determined to inspire and empower others despite facing numerous challenges. Her works were recognized, receiving awards including, Nehru Yuva Kendra Award in 1992, the National Youth Award in 1993, the Bajaj Trust Award, the UN International Award in 2000, and the Padma Shri in 2022.
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