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Dr Kiran Martin | |
|---|---|
 Dr Kiran Martin | |
| Born | (1959-06-09)9 June 1959 (age 66) |
| Education | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Diploma in Child Health and Paedriatics |
| Occupation(s) | Social worker, pediatrician, founder and director of Asha Society |
| Spouse | Godfrey Martin |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Padma Shri |
| Website | Personal blog |
Kiran Martin is an Indian paediatrician and social worker. She is the founder ofAsha Society,[1] a Delhi-based non-governmental organisation focused on health, education, and community development in urban slum areas.[2][3][4] In 2002, she was awarded thePadma Shri,[5] India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, for her contributions to community health.
Martin did her graduate studies in Medicine (MBBS) at theMaulana Azad Medical College, Delhi and completed her advanced studies in pediatrics from theLady Hardinge Medical College of theUniversity of Delhi[6] in 1985.[7][8]
In 1988, during acholera outbreak in Dr. Ambedkar Basti in South Delhi, Martin volunteered to provide medical assistance to residents.[6][9] The experience led her to establishAsha Society later that year to improve healthcare and living conditions in urban slum communities.[10][11][12][2]
Since its inception, Asha has developed programmes in primary healthcare, sanitation, education, and financial inclusion. The organisation has established local women’s groups known asMahila Mandals to advocate for community development and infrastructure improvements, and trainedCommunity Health Volunteers[13] to promote basic healthcare and health awareness at the community level.[14][9][11][11][8][9]
Children’s groups, orBal Mandals, were also created to encourage participation of young people in community activities. Asha supports access to higher education for young residents from slum settlements and collaborates with financial institutions to promote inclusion and provide access to banking and credit facilities for low-income families.[13][2]
Independent studies by organisations such asUN-Habitat[14] and theNossal Institute for Global Health have documented Asha’s community development approach and its work across multiple slum colonies in Delhi.[12]
Martin is associated with various philanthropic organizations in India and abroad for raising funds for her activities.[15] Asha's work is supported by formal and registered Friends of Asha societies in Great Britain, Australia, Ireland and the USA. In addition, funding agencies such as Tearfund New Zealand, Tear Netherlands and ICCO Netherlands support Asha's work, alongside international governmental agencies such asIrish Aid, NZ Aid, the Japanese government's GGP programme andAusAid.
Among the notable visitors to have visited Asha and accompanied Martin on slum visits include the prime minister of New Zealand,John Key,[16] Australia's prime minister,Julia Gillard in 2012,[17] Denmark prime minister,Lars Løkke Rasmussen, the governor general of New Zealand,Anand Satyanand,[18] the governor of Victoria,Alex Chernov,[19] the first lady of Canada,Sharon Johnston, the first lady of Japan,Miyuki Hatoyama.
Martin has addressed gatherings at theBritish House of Commons,United States House of Representatives,[20]Harvard University,[21]MIT,Cambridge University,Boston University School of Public Health,[22]Columbia University,[23]Monash University,Melbourne University,[10]University of Sydney the Australia India Institute.[11]Queen's University Belfast,[24]Radio New Zealand,Australian Broadcasting Corporation andDoordarshan aired a public address of Martin.[25]
TheGovernment of India, included her in theRepublic Day honours list, in 2002, for the civilian award ofPadma Shri.[7][8][11][26] Martin worked withP Chidambaram, India's Home Minister and earlier the Finance Minister, to increase financial inclusion for slum dwellers.[27][28]
Asha's work was awarded Best Practice byUN-Habitat.[13] The Nossal Institute of Global Health, in 2011, publishedAsha: Hope and Transformation in the Slums of Delhi.[12]
In October 2023, Martin received anhonorary Doctor of Letters degree from theUniversity of Sydney.
In November 2024, Martin received the Humanitarian Excellence in Healthcare Award from theFederation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry
In December 2024, Martin was awarded a Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) by the University of Melbourne.
Martin has been supported by her husband, Godfrey Martin, who has served as the associate director of Asha for over 30 years. The couple’s daughters, Prerna Martin and Madhuri Martin, have also been closely associated with Asha.
In 2001, a book entitledUrban Health & Development was published after being written by Martin in collaboration with Dr Beverly Booth and Dr Ted Lankester.[29] In addition, the work of Asha has been cited in publications, research and case studies by institutions such as the World Bank, Tearfund and others.
In 2013, the bookA Journey of Hope was published to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of Asha. It tells the story of Asha through the reflections of Martin and the photographs of Ed Sewell.[30] It includes a foreword by former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
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