Rich tributes paid to India’s first woman psychiatrist

N. Ram terms Sarada Menon’s achievement as heroic

Commitment, dedication, passion, empathy, grace, and humour were some of the words frequently uttered as a number of eminent people from Chennai and across the world paid their tributes at the event organised here on Saturday to celebrate the life of M. Sarada Menon, India’s first woman psychiatrist and an institution builder, who died last week.

R. Seshasayee, chairman, Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF India), which was founded by Dr. Menon, said while many people pursued their passion, it was only a few who converted that passion into building an institution and in turn institutionalised their passion and concern for society. Dr. Menon was one of them, he said.

R. Thara, vice-chairperson, SCARF India, traced the life of Dr. Menon and highlighted her role in developing not just the Institute of Mental Health in Kilpauk, but in opening psychiatry departments in many district hospitals in the State. Recalling her commitment to patients, she recalled how Dr. Menon cooked for the patients when the workers at IMH’s kitchen went on a strike.