Sulagitti Narasamma

Sulagitti Narasamma
Sulagitti Narasamma
Born c.1920
Pavagada taluk, Tumkur district, Karnataka, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation Midwife
Spouse(s) Anjinappa
Awards Padma Shri award (2018),
National Citizen's award (2013),
Honorary doctorate (2014)

Sulagitti Narasamma (Kannada: ಸೂಲಗಿತ್ತಿ ನರಸಮ್ಮ) is an Indian midwife from Krishnapura, Pavagada taluk, Tumkur district, Karnataka. She has been awarded with multiple honours for performing more than 15,000 traditional deliveries free of charge over a 70-year period of service in deprived regions of Karnataka with no medical facilities.[1][2][3]

Her work has been honored with the National Citizen's award of India in 2012 and the country’s fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri in 2018.[4][5]

Life

Narasamma was born in Krishnapura, Pavagada taluk in Tumkur district. Her mother tongue is Telugu. Narasamma belonged to a nomadic race and had no educational background. She married her husband, Anjinappa, at the age of 12. They eventually had 12 children, although four of their sons died when young. She has 22 grandchildren.[6][3]

Midwifery

'Sulagitti' in Kannada means 'delivery work'. In 1940, and at the age of 20, Narasamma assisted at her first birth when she helped with the delivery of her aunt's baby. She learnt her midwifery skills from her grandmother, Marigemma, a midwife who also helped to deliver five of Narasamma's own babies.[6]

Narasamma had the opportunity to practice her midwifery skills whenever nomadic tribes arrived at her village. She also learned the art of preparing natural medicine for pregnant women, and soon became competent in checking the health and position of the baby.[7]

By 2018, and at the age of 97 years old, Narasamma had helped to deliver more than 15,000 babies during her years, and has been described as 'the go-to midwife of Krishnapura'.[8][7]

Awards and honors

For her achievement, Narasamma has been conferred with the following awards and citations:

References

  1. ↑ Govt. of India. "Padma Awards 2018". padmaawards.gov.in. 2018, padmaawards.
  2. ↑ GovOfIndia. "Story of Dr. Sulagatti Narasamma, Janani Amma – Padma Awardee 2018 in Social Work". Online Edition MyGov India. 2018, MyGov India.
  3. 1 2 Prajwal Bhat. "Meet the Padma awardee from K'taka who helped deliver babies for 70 yrs, free of cost". Online Edition of thenewsminute. 2018, thenewsminute.
  4. 1 2 Staff. "Photos: Illaiyaraja, Ghulam Mustafa Khan, 41 others given Padma awards". Online Edition of Zee News. 2018, Express News Service.
  5. ↑ India.com News Desk. "MS Dhoni, Pankaj Advani Conferred With Padma Bhushan; Complete List". Online Edition of india.com. 2018, india.com.
  6. 1 2 H Devaraja. "Dr Narasamma reads gentle pulse of foetus". Online Edition of newindianexpress, dated 04 February 2018. 2018, Express News Service.
  7. 1 2 indiatimes.com News Desk. "97-YO Midwife Cum Farm Labourer Recognised For Lifetime Work, Get Padma Shri". Online Edition of indiatimes.com. 2018, indiatimes.com.
  8. ↑ deccanchronicle.com News Desk. "Sulagitti admitted to Bengaluru hospital". Online Edition of deccanchronicle.com. 2018, deccanchronicle.com.
  9. ↑ DHNS. "Ko Channabasappa among 58 Rajyotsava awardees". Online Edition of deccanherald.com. 2013, deccanherald.com.
  10. ↑ Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. "The President Confers First National Award for Senior Citizens – Vayoshreshtha Samman, 2013". Govt. of India official press release. 2013, pib.nic.in.
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