MADURAI: Even at the very ripe age of 100 today, her thoughts are still fertile to work for the cause of marginalized landless labourers around her towards their social and economic empowerment, she remains an active beacon of social justice and a living example of Gandhian model.
Yes, it is 1926-born social activist Krishnammal Jagannathan from Tamil Nadu who still remains an influential voice through her decades of work for the landless agricultural labourers, especially women for whom she waged a struggle against landlords several years ago.
On March 8th 2026 when the International Women’s Day was celebrated, a special event was organized at LAICO Hall in Aravind Eye Hospital campus in Madurai to release a 40-minute documentary film in Tamil which was produced by Mr.Ravi Subramaniyan of KKV Media Ventures and it is aptly named as ‘Nilam+Neethi=Krishnammal Jagannathan’.
“Land to the poor and land for tillers was her primary life goal. I met her for first time when I was 14 years age. The documentary film released today will surely rekindle the spirit of service to people among the present generation. Definitely we will show this documentary film to our employees in Aravind Eye Hospital because it will be an inspiration and a motivation,” Dr.G.Natchiar, founding member of Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai, has said at the documentary film launch function held in Madurai yesterday evening.
Dr.G.Natchiar had released the pen drive of this documentary film and it was received by renowned psychiatrist Dr.C.Ramasubramanian (Dr.CRS) in the presence of Dr.P.Ashok Kumar, chairman, Mangayarkarasi Group of Educational Institutions, Prof.R.Raja Govindasamy, former Rotary District Governor, Mr.V.Shanmugasundaram, trustee of Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Temple at Thiruparankundram, Mrs.Lilly Grace, assistant police commissioner-Tiruchi and Mr.Aathmaarthi who is a writer and an orator.
The launch event of documentary film was organized by social worker Mr.Nellai Balu of ‘Anushathin Anugraham’ who is a staunch devotee of Kanchi Maha Periyava.
THE DESIRE TO HELP PEOPLE:
“It took me five years to complete this documentary after facing some hurdles. I thank the persons who helped me and I am happy to see good feedback today,” Mr.Ravi Subramanyam has said while sharing his experiences in the making of this documentary.
The documentary film shows the grit with which social activist Krishnammal Jagannathan (recipient of Padma Bhushan Award) had the burning desire to uplift the underprivileged women in rural areas and on farm lands, and he she took part in Bhoodan movement of Acharya Vinoba Bhave for land retrieval to the poor from landlords and how she got influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, Acharya Vinoba Bhave and J.C.Kumarappa.
“It is a great feeling and an emotional experience today. This documentary film must be shown in schools and colleges to make our students know about this great inspiring personality because it tells the real life story of a social justice crusader who worked for land for tillers freedom,” Dr.CRS had stressed on March 8th 2026.
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