Chennai: Dr G Padmapriya, a resident of Taylor Estate, Kodambakkam, in the city, dons many hats. She is an advocate practicing at the High Court, a counsellor for women and children and also runs an NGO called Mindtree.
A recipient of the ‘Thangamagal’ award by Social Protection, a human rights, legal aid and humanity organisation for her contribution in social work, she also bagged the Bangalore-based Global Triumph foundation’s Women Excellence Award for her contribution to education.
Speaking about the recognition, she said,”I started my social service career only recently, and these awards inspire me to do more for the society.”
In the early stages of its inception, Mindtree had tie-ups with other NGOs, but currently, she runs the organisation independently.
“I wanted to do create a sense of contribution towards the society. Following this, several like-minded people soon formed a WhatsApp group called ‘Join Hands with Mindtree’. People who join the group contribute Rs 200 every month,” she said.
With the help of 40 people who had joined in the first month, Padmapriya collected about Rs 8,000. With this, she visited an old age home and helped the inmates get free medical check-up.
Later, she was able to donate to children in a deaf and dumb school.
“They were given sports essentials like footballs, carrom board etc,” she stated. Currently, there are 120 members in the group, it is learnt.
On her future plans, she said that she is focusing on eye donation.
“In most cases, the donated eyes are sold. So I wanted to do an eye donation project where the given eye reaches someone in need,” she noted.
Padmapriya has also met Puducherry Governor, Kiran Bedi, regarding this.
“I drafted the campaign and thought of seeking the Central governments help, so I met her. She ensured her full support and asked me to discuss it with the Central ministry,” she recalled.
She can be reached at 9884824115.