K.V. Rabia (1966–2025): The Woman Who Educated a District to Read

By New Age Islam Staff Writer 6 May 2025 KV Rabiya. File Photo: Manorama... ----- K.V. Rabia, whose name became synonymous with inspirational strength and determination, unfortunately breathed her last on May 4, 2025, at the age of 59 years. She was a native of Vellilakkadu in the Malappuram district of Kerala and a proud daughter of the place. Throughout her life, Rabia turned her personal challenges and difficulties into a lifelong mission, one that centred around eliminating illiteracy and empowering the weaker sections of society. Her indefatigable and unflinching passion for the cause of education and social welfare earned her immense national recognition. These include her having been awarded the highly prestigious Padma Shri award in the year 2022, highlighting her exceptional services. Early Life and the Many Challenges Faced Born on the auspicious day of February 25 in the year 1966, Rabia was born to a simple Mappila Muslim family, and her life was shaped by the simple means of her parents. She was the beloved daughter of a dedicated ration shop owner who worked hard to keep the family going. In her early life, Rabia had an eager enthusiasm for learning and had an active life that was a reflection of her dynamic nature. But when she was only 14 years old, her life took a dramatic turn as she was struck by polio, a crippling disease that paralysed her legs. This sudden disability resulted in the unfortunate abandonment of her formal education, ending her academic life. Despite such a harsh setback, Rabia demonstrated incredible resilience; she was not discouraged and continued to pursue her intellectual interests with passion. She read voraciously, and her passion for knowledge grew and developed despite adversity. Initiating the Literacy Movement Initiative In June 1990, Rabia embarked on the task of starting an adult literacy campaign in her area with the lofty goal of providing education to illiterate individuals of all ages. She started her classes with a very small number of merely seven students, but surprisingly enough, her venture soon attracted the attention of people of other ages as well, including none other than her own mother and grandmother, who were keen to learn. Because of her strong determination and commitment to this task, there was a very noticeable and appreciable boost in literacy levels in the Tirurangadi region within a span of merely six months from the launch of her campaign. Feeling the intensely positive effect of her task, the state government acknowledged her endeavour and subsequently made her the mascot of the Kerala State Literacy Mission, a position which testifies to her influence and stature towards literacy dissemination and promotion. The Founding of Chalanam Apart from her long-term effort towards the propagation of literacy programmes, Rabia made a pioneering step by establishing an organisation called "Chalanam," a voluntary organisation dedicated to serving and propagating a variety of social causes. With her vision and initiative, Chalanam was successful in establishing and operating six different schools exclusively for children suffering from physical and intellectual disabilities. Apart from this, the organisation extended beyond education by actively propagating health awareness, women's empowerment, and vocational training facilities. Through the activities of Chalanam, Rabia boldly addressed key social problems like alcoholism, the dowry system, dangerous superstitions, and communalism and worked tirelessly towards the ultimate objective of establishing a society that is more equitable and just for all concerned. Personal Struggles and the Resilience Effect Rabia's life was characterised by a series of serious and multiple ailments that tested her strength and endurance to the limit. Having battled a tough fight against polio, which presented formidable obstacles, she was faced with another debilitating diagnosis: breast cancer, which was diagnosed when she was just 32 years old. The diagnosis necessitated serious surgery followed by a strict regimen of chemotherapy, which took its toll on her body and mind. In 2004, her plight took a tragic turn when a fall resulted in a serious spinal cord injury, which partially paralysed her from the neck downwards and totally changed her way of life. Unable to get out of a specially designed waterbed and dependent on a urine bag for her convenience, Rabia sought a means to channelise her thoughts and feelings through writing. She began writing her memoirs in coloured pencils, chronicling her experiences and thoughts in a creative way, which produced excellent pieces like "Mouna Nombarangal," or "Silent Tears," and "Swapnangalkku Chirakukalundu," or "Dreams Have Wings." Legacy and Recognition Rabia's tireless work earned national and international recognition. In 1994, she was awarded the National Youth Award by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. She was the first recipient of the Kannagi Sthree Shakti Puraskar in 2000 and received the Padma Shri in 2022. Her life and work were chronicled in the film "Rabiya Moves", which was dubbed into 14 languages. Bedridden though she was, Rabia kept teaching, advising, and motivating all the people around her, demonstrating the spirit of selfless service. Final Years During the later years of her life, Rabia was confronted with a myriad of other health complications, which notably included severe gastrointestinal problems as well as serious complications related to her lung condition. Furthermore, she was unfortunate enough to contract COVID-19 twice, a situation that greatly contributed to the difficulties she was already facing with her overall health. Despite the myriad of difficulties that life presented to her, she remained firmly committed to her mission of serving others, continuously offering classes to poor children and valuable advice to visitors who came to seek her guidance. Rabia finally passed away on May 4, 2025, leaving behind a lasting legacy characterised by compassion, remarkable resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the mission of social upliftment for the poor. Recalling K.V. Rabia K.V. Rabia's own life is a powerful testament to the raw, unadulterated power of determination and the profound effect that one individual can have on the fabric of society. Her own life, so extraordinary in nature, began in a small, humble village in the beautiful state of Kerala and continued on to take her to where she became a national symbol of the ideals of literacy and empowerment for so many. Her life continues to be an inspiration to millions of individuals across various walks of life and backgrounds. As we take a moment to reflect and remember her incredible contributions, we also honour a life that was unapologetically dedicated to the causes of education, equality, and the overall improvement of mankind as a whole. 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