The Kasturba Gandhi College of Educatin for Women (B.Ed.) Kasturba Nilayam is having an historical background of its establishment. The Centre, namely Kasturba Nilayam in Malavanthangal was started in the year 1946 with the approval and blessings of Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhiji was actively leading the Quit India Movement against the British Government. Not only in this struggle, but in all the efforts of Gandhiji, his wife Kasturba was the rock of support behind him. She too was observing Ahimsa (non-violence) in her normal life and she decided to participate in the Quit India Movement till achieveing the goal. Indeed she was, even ready to die after this. She started fasting which led to the deterioration of her health. Inspite of utmost care and treatment, she breathed her last on the 22nd February 1944 in the Agakhan Palace, Pune, where she was imprisoned.
Gandhiji determined to establish a Trust in memory of his beloved and precious wife. Thus the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust was
established in the year 1945 with Gandhiji as its first Chairman. The main aim and objective of the same is to work for the welfare of poor and children and upliftment of women in life. This include health, literacy, removing of untouchability, non-violence, prohibition, etc.
He has become the first Chairman of the Trust. Sardhar Vallabhai Patel, Late. Mrs. Lakshmi Menon, Gandhiji’s staunch disciple Late Dr. Sushila Nayar were some of the successors as Chairman of the Trust of Mahathma. Its having many great personalities like Shri. Dhirubhai Mehta of Bajaj Automobiles, Smt. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, the grand daughter of Mahatma Gandhiji and Late Sri Rajaji, Sri Tata and Birla, and Sri Ramakrishna Bajaj to be its Chairman, Vice Chairman, Trustees and members. The branches of the Trust are spreaded in 33 places which include also the centre at Malavanthangal.
Both Gandhiji and Kasturba Gandhi were interested on the literacy of women. When the Trust brought a Souvenior on its work, Late Dr. Radhakrishnan, then President of India has greeted the work of the Trust by saying:-
“I am pleased to know that the organisation is doing its best for promoting self expression and development of our Women. As I have said often, they should have equal rights with men and participate in those walks of life specially for which they are best suited, e.g. nursing, education, etc., Their presence in the legislatures has a refining influence. I have no doubt that they will retain their noble qualities, whatever work they may undertake.”
The Kasturba Nilayam feels so proud that by starting training on nursing and teaching, mainly for the rural girls and women, is fulfils the dreams of Gandhiji to achieve literacy among women, thereby to make them the main bread winners of their families through decent and self respected working oppurtunities.
About Trustee :
Mr. M. Srinivasan, Managing Director, Sri.Chamundeshwari Sugars Limited and also Joint Managing Director, Sakthi Sugars Limited.
Mr. M. Srinivasan, is the third son of Late Padmabushan. Dr. N. Mahalingam, Philanthropist and Industrialist, Promoter and Chairman of Sakthi Group. He did his Studies in Mechanical Engineering and obtained B.E., Degree from Mysore University and Obtained MBA Degree in 1992 from the Smeal College of Business at Pennsylvania State University USA.
After successfully completing his foreign education, he turned to India in the year 1993 and joined Sri Chamundeshwari Sugars Limited as its Executive Director looking after General Administration, Purchase and sales activities of the company. He took charge as Managing Director with effect from 09.06.1998.
He was the President of the South Indian Sugar Mill Association (SISMA) Karnataka for the period from 1997-1999 and 2005-2008. And also he was the President of Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) New Delhi for the period 2012-2013 representing the sugar industry in the country.