Begum Bilkees I. LatifSocial Welfare (Andhra Pradesh, India) 2014
BEGUM BILKEES I. LATIF – She is an Indian social worker and writer, known for her work in the slums of India. She is the author of several articles and books. The Government of India awarded her the fourth-highest civilian honour of the Padma Shri, in 2009, for her contributions to society. With her multi-faceted métier as a Writer, Historian, Culinary expert and Culturist her ace attribute was the streak of Social welfare in her.
Particularly notable is the way she saved hordes of children in Mumbai’s underbelly, ‘Dharavi’ from the clutches of Gang-lords there, out to use the little ones as clogs in their wheels of crime & felonies. The way she personally negotiated with the gangsters to let off the children is the stuff utmost bravado yarns are made of.
Indeed, she was the urchins’ Fairy-godmother – no less…!