Mysuru: Even as the news of the passing away of Parvathamma Rajkumar reached Shaktidhama, a NGO for rehabilitation and development of destitute women, the inmates were grief stricken on hearing the sad news.

Parvathamma Rajkumar was the Hon. President of Shaktidhama, located at the foot of Chamundi Hill on Mysuru-Ooty Road. It was the dream of thespian Rajkumar, the late actor, to start a centre for destitute women. He strongly felt that the person to run this place ably was his wife Parvathamma.

A Trust was established in 1998 and generous contributions from philanthropists helped set up the home for the destitute women.

Advocate Sumana, who is one of the Trustees, speaking to Star of Mysore, here this morning said, “It was Dr. Rajkumar who drove the idea of setting up this rehabilitation centre for women with the able  assistance of the then Police Commissioner Kempaiah. Then, Rajkumar staged one or two benefit shows at Manasagangotri Open Air Theatre to raise funds.”

According to Sumana, Parvathamma always cared for the society and the destitute women. Hence, she used to attend all the meetings of the Trust.

G.S Jayadeva, Managing Trustee said, “A few like-minded people got together to start the Trust and work for the destitute women. Some of the Trustees include litterateur Devanur Mahadeva and actress Jayamala. Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji has leased one-and-a-half acre land to the Trust. Dr. Rajkumar raised Rs. 45 lakh to construct the building through benefit shows.”

Inmates Manjula  and Anu Padmavathi, speaking to Star of Mysore said, “Parvathamma used to visit the centre often. She treated all of us with dignity and respect. She never discriminated and always brought sweets and sarees to give all of us. We feel like we have lost our own mother.”

There are about 100 orphan girls and 30 to 35 destitute women in Shaktidhama.

A condolence meeting was held in the afternoon in which a few Trustees and the inmates paid their respects to the departed President Parvathamma Rajkumar.