Mary Clubwala Jadhav was an Indian philanthropist and a recipient of India"s civilian honour Padma Shri. She has been the reason behind the awakening of dawn of several NGOs in Chennai and the rest of the country. Often credited with setting up the oldest organized social work bodies in India; her contribution is unparallel. Her organization "Guild of Service" operates more than a dozen units related to orphanage, Female Literacy, Care and Rehabilitation of the Disabled etc. She has been honoured with Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour of India in 1975.
Early Life of Mary Clubwala Jadhav
Mary Clubwala Jadhav was born on 16th June in the year 1909 in Ootacamund in the then Madras Presidency. Her parents were Rustom Patel and Allamai, member of the 300-strong Parsi community of Chennai city. She had her schooling in Chennai and married Nogi Clubwala at the age of 18 years. She became widow at the age of 27 years and remarried Major Chandrakanth. K Jadav, 20 years after her first husband"s death.
Activities of Mary Clubwala Jadhav
Mary Clubwala Jadhav was appointed Sheriff of Chennai in succession to Mr. R. E. Castell for one year in 1956 and was honoured the Duke of Edinburgh on his visit to Madras (now Chennai) in 1961. She started Madras School of Social Work in 1952, the first school of social work in South India. The Chennai Government recognized the School.
After her husband"s death, Mary Clubwala Jadhav came to Chennai and engaged herself in social work. A European lady named Mrs. Waller started the Guild of Service with the goal of servicing the needy. Mary Clubwala Jadhav joined them. The Guild of Service had branches in many states such as Mumbai, Delhi, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Mary Clubwala Jadhav was connected with about 150 organizations throughout India and a few outside India. Her biggest contribution was at the time of World War II. She looked after the wounded soldiers and organized a hospitality committee to look after them. After the war was over, the Indian Hospitality Committee was transformed into Prisoners Welfare and Ex-servicemen"s Welfare Committee. General Cariappa called her "The Darling of the Army". The Army staffs were thankful to her and presented her with a Japanese sword in recognition of her valuable services.
Mary Clubwala Jadhav founded the Madras State Branch of the Indian Conference of Social Work and later, hosted many all-India conferences in Chennai. She actively worked with the Tuberculosis and City Leprosy Relief Committees and made generous contributions to these organizations. She donated 6 beds to Kasturba Gandhi Leprosy Home in memory of her late husband Mr. N. P. Clubwala. She also worked for Harijan Welfare and established nursery schools for Harijan children.
Achievements of Mary Clubwala Jadhav
Mary Clubwala Jadhav dedicated her life for the poor and oppressed people. She created history of sorts by being reappointed 15 times as the Juvenile Court Magistrate. She was appointed as the Honorary Presidency Magistrate for Chennai and continued it till the end of her life. The Government of India honoured her with many awards like "Padma Shri", "Padma Bhushan" and "Padma Vibhushan". She was the First Lady Sheriff of Chennai. The Chennai Government nominated her to the Legislative Council of Madras State.
Death of Mary Clubwala Jadhav
Mary Clubwala Jadhav breathed her last on 1975 at the age of 67 years.
