Tamil Nadu government honours Dr Shanthi Ranganathan with 'Avvaiyaar Award"

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu government has honoured Dr Shanthi Ranganathan with its 'Avvaiyaar Award' for the year 2015 recognising her contribution in rehabilitating persons addicted to alcohol and helping their families for over three decades.

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa gave away the award to Ranganathan here yesterday, an official release said today.

The Padmashri recipient is the Honorary Secretary of TT Ranganathan Medical Research Centre, TTK Hospital and Swami Dayananda Saraswathi Educational Society.

Ranganathan was honoured with the 'Avvaiyar Award,' for her 33 years contribution towards rehabilitating persons addicted to liquor and their families, the government release said.

She was presented with a cash reward of Rs one lakh, 8 gm gold medal and a certificate.

The award was constituted in 2012 by the government on the occasion of International Women's Day to recognise women for their contribution in the areas of social reforms, communal harmony, women's development, culture and journalism among others.