Because you deserve it: News Trailfelicitated ten women change makers at a ceremony attended by many of the power women of Karnataka

Akkai Padmashali, Activist & Singer

Akkai Padmashali is an Indian transgender activist, motivational speaker, and singer. For her work in activism she has received the Rajyotsava Prashasti, the second highest civilian honour conferred by the State of Karnataka, and an honorary doctorate from the Indian Virtual University for Peace and Education. She is also the first transgender person in Karnataka to register their marriage.

Akkai started her career of activism at Sangama, an LGBT rights group based, where she inspired many more minds. Since then she has been fighting a battle for ensuring dignity and rights of transgender persons as well as sexual minorities. She founded, Ondedea, an organisation to advocate for the rights of children, women and sexual minorities. She has filed a petition in the Supreme Court of India against Section 377 stating that the colonial law is violative of the constitutional rights as well as the 2014 NALSA judgement.

Dr M V Usha Devi, Professor, Bangalore University

Dr Usha Devi is a passionate and enthusiastic historian with a vision of creating awareness regarding preservation of heritage and cultural centres. She has been in the field of teaching for the past 29 years. She has represented the problems of Dalit Women in India at the International Conference organised by the United Nation’s 42nd Session, Human Rights Council in 2019 at Geneva, Switzerland.

With 34 years of research experience she is recipient of multiple honours, awards and felicitations for her academic achievements. She is regularly involved in examrelated assignments in institutions across India and abroad. She is a member of the international organisation HWPL (Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light), UNESCO. She has worked on issues pertaining to gender equality, poverty of landless labourers and awareness of Dalit rights.

Fathaheen Misbah, Technology Lead, Infosys

Fathaheen Misbah is a technology lead at Infosys. Though she works in the field of technology, she finds her calling in serving humanity. From arranging blood plasma to sharing information around availability of beds, drugs and medicines — she was able to bring hope to many during the pandemic. She also set up an online fundraiser which garnered a huge response from across the globe. She was able to collect nearly Rs 29 lakh within a span of three to four days.

Shanthi Menon, Founder-Principal, Deens Academy

Shanthi Menon, a university rank holder from Stella Maris College, Chennai, is the founder-principal of Deens Academy. Deens Academy is a CBSE school established May 2006 with over 2500 students. She holds a teaching and training diploma, with distinction, from Cambridge University, UK, and a master’s degree in education.

She is also a trained Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam dancer, and has performed extensively and choreographed many shows. She has won laurels for her powerful and passionate performance style. She has been an auditioned A- grade artist at Doordarshan, Chennai. She is also trained in Carnatic music and is a creative artist who makes Tanjore paintings as well.

Veda Krishnamurthy, Indian Cricketer

Veda Krishnamurthy is an Indian cricketer who made her debut in international women’s cricket at the age of 18 in a one-day international against England at Derby in June 2011. Krishnamurthy went on to score 51 runs in her international debut. She is a right-handed batter and bowls right-arm leg break.

In November 2015, she was named in the B-grade contract list. This was the first time the BCCI offered contracts to women players. Her T20 debut for India was in a match against Australia in the Natwest T20 Quadrangular series at Billericay, on the same tour of England.

Devi Priya, Artist & Educator

A Karnataka Shilpakala Academy awardwinner, for Devi Priya teaching art is a passion. She has won the Nanjunda Siri best composition award at the annual art exhibition of the College of Fine Arts, Bengaluru. She has participated in various exhibitions at festivals in Chennai and Bengaluru. She facilitates art in her classroom by creating and experimenting with different mediums. Her work attempts to probe into feminine soul centeredness. Her evolving work captures the endless inner churn in a myriad, rich, and diverse façade.

Her works represent an urban mythical take of the Radha-Krishna soul connection. She has also conducted various art camps at the Karnataka Chitrakla Parishath, Jawahar Bala Bhavan in Hassan, and other places. Currently she is working with the National Academy for Learning (NAFL) as head of the department for art and design.

Dr C R Jayanthi, Dean & Director, Bangalore Medical College and R