Mysore/Mysuru: Mysuru Book Clubs-2015 has organised a programme to release the book “Muthulakshmi Reddy — A Trailblazer in Surgery and Women’s Rights” authored by Dr. V.R. Devika of Aseema Trust, Chennai, at Kalpa Kshetra Auditorium in Vijayanagar 4th Stage, 1st Phase, Mysuru, on Saturday (Nov. 18) at 5.30 pm.

The book will be released by Dr. S. Sudha, retired Principal, Maharani’s Science College, Mysuru and the first copy will be received by Harshida Harikumar, Principal, Manasarovar Pushkarani Vidyashrama, Mysuru. Bharathi Ghanashyam will be in conversation with the author about the book.

The talk is open to all. [Mob:94498-19536].

Profile: Dr. V.R. Devika has a Ph.D in Gandhian Communications and their philosophical implications from the Department of Philosophy, University of Madras. She spins on a box Charkha and gives regular presentations on Mahatma Gandhi. She has written a book on Dr. Rangabhashyam, a well-known Physician of Chennai.

Muthulakshmi Reddy has had a number of firsts to her name: the first female student to be admitted into a men’s college, the first woman House Surgeon in the Government                      Maternity and Ophthalmic Hospital, the first woman Legislator in British India, the first Chairperson of the State Social Welfare Advisory Board, the first woman Deputy President of the Legislative Council and the first woman in the Madras Corporation who built Avvai Home in 1953.

She was born in the Princely State of Pudukkottai of Tamil Nadu. In spite of various constraints faced by girls in India of her time, she completed her higher education and was admitted into the medical profession. In 1907, she joined the Madras Medical College, where she achieved a brilliant academic record.

With several gold medals and prizes to her credit, Reddy graduated in 1912 to become one of the first female doctors in India. Soon after, she came under the influence of Annie Besant and then of Mahatma Gandhi.