Malliga Ramakrishna Awarded Rashtra Seva Puraskar 2025 for Transformative Work in School Catering and Rural Empowerment

In a remarkable recognition of compassion, perseverance, and selfless service, Malliga Ramakrishna, a 66-year-old woman from Tamil Nadu, has been awarded the prestigious Rashtra Seva Puraskar 2025 by the Bharat Seva Society. This national honor celebrates her extraordinary contributions to the field of school catering, and more importantly, her unwavering commitment to empowering underprivileged communities in rural India.

With a career spanning over 28 years, Malliga Ramakrishna has transformed the school catering sector in her region, not only by providing nutritious meals to countless students but also by turning her workplace into a hub of opportunity for those in need. In a society where access to employment and vocational training is often limited for the poor, especially in rural areas, Malliga chose to open her kitchen—and her heart—to people from marginalized backgrounds.

Throughout her career, Malliga has trained over 100 young men and women in culinary skills, hygiene practices, and basic management. These were not just trainees—they were individuals who had been denied opportunities due to poverty or lack of education. Thanks to her mentorship, 12 of her former students have gone on to start their own successful catering businesses, creating jobs and inspiring further community development.

What makes Malliga’s story even more inspiring is her own modest background. Despite limited personal resources, she has dedicated herself entirely to the service of others. With no children of her own, Malliga has become a mother figure to many of her trainees, guiding them not just in cooking but in life—teaching them values of discipline, dignity, and self-reliance. Her work stands as a living example of how one individual’s dedication can create ripples of transformation across families and communities.

In addition to professional training, Malliga has emphasized the importance of dignity in labor. She believes that no work is too small, and that anyone, given the right guidance and motivation, can achieve self-sufficiency. Her kitchen is a space of learning, encouragement, and second chances—where the disadvantaged find hope and direction.

The Rashtra Seva Puraskar, one of India’s highest civilian honors for social service, recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in serving society. Malliga Ramakrishna’s life and work embody the true spirit of this award. Her legacy lies not just in the meals she has served, but in the lives she has touched and transformed.

Local communities, former students, and social organizations across Tamil Nadu have applauded her recognition, calling her a “pillar of strength and compassion.” As she continues her mission to empower the rural poor through food and education, Malliga Ramakrishna stands as a beacon of hope, resilience, and kindness—a true inspiration to all.

Her journey reminds us that great change often begins in the simplest of places, and that with love, skill, and a generous heart, even a kitchen can become a center of social revolution.