Chennai

The award carries cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, 8-gram gold medal, a certificate and a shawl. According to a statement from Social Welfare Department, Kannagi has been into social work since 1992.

“Kannagi has worked to relocate people in more than 350 families from huts and has contributed for their upliftment. Kannagi has also worked among the women self-help groups for more than 12 years as she had worked as coordinator for 528 women self-help groups,” the statement said.

The statement also said that Kannagi has also worked in cremating dead bodies. “When men hesitate to cremate dead bodies, Kannagi has been involved in cremating dead bodies. Kannagi has been working as an in-charge of cremation ground in Tiruvannamalai,” said the statement.

Due to her selfless service, Kannagi has received state award for International Women’s Day in 2016, Republic Day award in 2018 and award for Environment Management in 2018. Avvaiyar award was instituted in 2012 for social activists working in the field of women upliftment, communal harmony, service to language, science, tradition, culture, journalism, management and contribution for the society.

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