S. G. Susheelamma
The founder of Bengaluru's Sumangali Seva Ashrama, caring for abandoned girls, women and the elderly since 1975, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2026.
S. G. Susheelamma, known as “Amma”, has spent fifty years building homes and schools for those with nowhere else to go. In 2026 she was named for the Padma Shri in the field of social work, from Karnataka [1].
Sumangali Seva Ashrama
Susheelamma was born in Karnataka on 24 May 1939 [2]. She gave up her job to work full time for others, and in 1975 founded Sumangali Seva Ashrama in Bengaluru [2]. Starting with very little, she built it up with help from the community [2].
Today the ashrama runs a home for orphaned and abandoned girls, a primary and a high school and a kindergarten offering free education, a short-stay home for women in crisis, a home for elderly women, and a free clinic with mental health support [2]. Thousands of people have found shelter, schooling, health care or training there [2].
Beyond the city
She has run adult literacy campaigns, self-help groups and training for women panchayat members across Karnataka [2]. She has worked with the Iruliga and Kuruba tribal communities on farming and livelihoods [2]. Her Vrikshamahadasoha movement has planted more than forty lakh saplings across the state [2].
Her honours include the National Award for Child Welfare and the Kittur Rani Chennamma Award [2].
Sources
- [1] Padma Awards 2026: list of awardees — Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Accessed 11 October 2026.
- [2] Padma Awards 2026 investiture ceremony brochure: citation for S. G. Susheelamma — Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Accessed 12 October 2026.
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