For Those Who Do Not Know Dr. P. Bhanumathy, Founder Of AMHA (Association For Mentally Handicapped Adults)

She is a proud daughter, a loving wife, a retired professor and above all a woman of substance whom many look up to. On March 8^th when the world celebrates International Women’s Day, she will be recognized and appreciated with Sthri Shakthi award for her relentless service towards the differently abled adults. The news brings much joy and excitement to me, because she happens to be my aunt, my father’s sister. For that reason I know she doesn't crave for such laurels, because this is something she does from her heart.

Dr. P Bhanumathy receiving the award from the President of India

My dad is native to a small village called Kodumunda, in Pattambi, Palakkad and his is a big family. He has 12 siblings, out of which 4 are no more. Three of his brothers are differently abled and two still lives along with other residents at AMHA.

If I remember the old times, Bhanu cheriamma (as we niece and nephews call her) had a strong passion for learning and she was mostly away doing her studies whenever we visited our ancestral home. She holds a doctorate in Cancer Biochemistry, a post doctoral fellowship in Radiation Biochemistry and she retired as a Professor of Zoology at Sree Kerala Varma College in Thrissur, India. So of the little that I have known her, she has been a radical thinker. Her ideologies were clear and she was confident about every step she took in her life; which to this date I think she is.

Being well-educated her approach towards her differently abled brothers was different. Without doubt there was much love among all the siblings, however after my grandmother’s death, when it meant taking responsibilities of the three brothers, none could actually commit, including my dad. Some were based abroad, certain others were living out of station, and all were married and had family to take care of - reasons were many and valid when you try walking in each others’ shoes, but having witnessed all these as a child, I can confidently say, they all loved their brothers equally. So eventually a home nurse was appointed to take care of them. Since two of the brothers were diabetic and one among them had asthma, my aunt used to visit them more often to administer the diet that they needed at home.

This is a paper cutting that one of my cousin brothers shared with me. The headline says, "P Bhanumathy To Receive SthriShakthi Award". The matter also says that she will be awarded the same by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on March 8th.

However it was the death of one of the brothers, who was also heavily diabetic that forced her to think and come up with a plan to begin an institution for the mentally challenged. In 1997 she started the organization with the support of her husband and a few like minded friends. The only monetary source that kept the institution going, for a long time, was her own salary; it took a while to get recognized and receive financial help of any kind and yes, she had to struggle a lot until then. However that never stopped her from pursuing what she thought was her life’s purpose. The institution that was started with 3 students now has 50-55 students and has both day scholars as well as residents.

AMHA mostly provides admission for such adults from the lesser privileged class of the society, and also offers medical care, training, food and above all love and attention. Due to limited space not many are admitted as residents here. She along with her husband and two brothers also live in the same premises. Students here are trained and involved in many activities like - 

• Manufacturing household materials such as soaps, detergents, various fragrances etc
• Manufacturing craft and décor items such as dolls, paper bags, mats etc
• Printing press including screen printing etc

I wish her all the success and hope to see this organization grow so as to allow more specially abled persons to be taken care of the way they should be. I also pledge to offer help the way I can to ensure better care and facilities to my fellow brothers and sisters there.