Shanthi Ranganathan | |
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| Born | Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation | Social worker |
| Years active | Since 1980 |
| Known for | Anti substance abuse activities |
| Spouse | T. T. Ranganathan |
| Awards | Padma Shri Avvaiyar Award UN Vienna Civil Society Award |
Shanthi Ranganathan is an Indian social worker and the founder ofT. T. Ranganathan Clinical Research Foundation, anon governmental organization managing theTTK Hospital, a medical centre based in Chennai for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addicts.[1] She is the first recipient of theUN Vienna Civil Society Award[2] and a recipient of the 1992Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award from the Government of India for her contributions to the society.[3]
Born in the south Indian state ofTamil Nadu and married to T. T. Ranganathan, the grandson ofT. T. Krishnamachari, formerFinance Minister of India, Ranganathan was widowed in 1979, at the age of 33, when her husband died from health issues related to alcohol addiction.[4] This prompted her to focus her attention to the problem of substance abuse and addiction. In order to prepare herself, Shanthi, holder of a Master's degree in Social Work from theMadras School of Social Work, joined theHazelden Addiction Treatment Centre,Minneapolis for training in de-addiction programmes and started a day care centre in one of the family properties in Chennai, in 1980. The modest beginning, with a few assistants, grew to become theT. T. Ranganathan Clinical Research Foundation, which now includesTTK Hospital, a 65-bed treatment facility, the first Indian hospital dedicated for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction.[1][5] The institution works in coordination withUnited Nations Office on Drugs and Crime[6] and is a participant of the anti-substance abuse programmes of the Government of India.[2] She is also associated with the Swami Dayananda Saraswati Educational Society, and sits on its board of directors.[7]
The Government of India included her in the 1992Republic Day Honours list for the civilian award of thePadma Shri.[3] In 1999, when United Nations instituted theUnited Nations Vienna Civil Society Award,[8] she was selected for the award for herOutstanding Contributions in the Fight Against Drug Abuse and Crime, making her the first recipient of the award.[2] She is the recipient of theAvvaiyar Award by theGovernment of Tamil Nadu for the year 2015.[9]