V. Mohini Giri | |
|---|---|
_V._Mohini_Giri_(Social_Activist)%2c_at_an_Investiture_Ceremony_at_Rashtrapati_Bhavan_in_New_Delhi_on_March_23%2c_2007.jpg) Giri (right) receiving Padma Bhushan from President Kalam in 2007 | |
| Born | (1938-01-15)15 January 1938[1] |
| Died | 19 December 2023(2023-12-19) (aged 85) |
| Occupations | Social worker, activist founder Guild of Service (1979) |
V. Mohini Giri (15 January 1938[2] – 19 December 2023)[3] was an Indian community service worker and activist, who was Chairperson of the Guild of Service, a New Delhi-based social service organisation. Established in 1979, it provides advocacy for women's and children's rights for education, employment, and financial security.[4][5] She founded War Widows Association, New Delhi in 1972, and was Chairperson of theNational Commission for Women (1995–1998).[6]
In 2007, she was awarded thePadma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour, given byGovernment of India.[7] Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI), Tirupati, awarded her the Rajiv Gandhi Outstanding Leadership National Award for the year 2010 on 8 March 2011 at New Delhi, by Shri Murlidhar C. Bhandare, the then Governor of Odisha. Dr. Giri delivered the 9th Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture at India International Centre, New Delhi on 8 March 2011.
Giri was the daughter-in-law ofV. V. Giri, formerPresident of India.[1] She was born in Lucknow to scholar V. S. Ram. She graduated fromLucknow University,[8] followed by post-graduation in Ancient Indian History fromUniversity of Delhi, and a doctorate fromG.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology.[9]
Giri started her career as an academic and established thewomen's studies department at Lucknow University.[8] Giri was the Founder President of theWar Widows Association which was formed in 1972 after theIndo-Pakistani War of 1971[10] and in 2000 became the Founder Trustee of the Women's Initiative for Peace in South Asia.[9]
Giri was also a board member ofThe Hunger Project, a New York-based international charity.[11]
Giri died on 19 December 2023, at the age of 85.[12]