Prof. Rayappan | a social work educator, researcher, trainer, resource person, and policy contributor
Dr (Sr.) Sophia Fernandes, Principal, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya
Prof. Hilda Rayappan was a distinguished social work educator, counsellor, family therapist and social activist who dedicated her life to the empowerment and rehabilitation of women, children and marginalized communities. As the founder of Prajna Counselling Centre, she transformed it into a significant centre for counselling, rehabilitation, community development and social work education.
Founded in 1988, the Family Counselling Centre initially focused on supporting individuals and families experiencing emotional and psychological difficulties, with the larger objective of preventing family breakdown and promoting reconciliation. Prajna provided free professional services through psychiatrists, medical professionals, legal experts, social workers, and counsellors.
Under Prof. Rayappan’s visionary leadership, Prajna expanded its work into several areas, including de-addiction and rehabilitation, women’s empowerment, child welfare, HIV/AIDS awareness, community development and support for vulnerable populations. The De-addiction cum Rehabilitation Centre, established in 1992, addressed alcoholism and its impact on women and children, while community-based de-addiction camps subsequently took awareness and rehabilitation services to villages, slums and low-income communities.
Her commitment to women’s economic independence led to the establishment of Self-Help Groups, benefiting thousands of women from economically disadvantaged communities. Initiatives such as Santwana Women’s Helpline, Short Stay Home, Swadhar and Spoorthy provided protection, counselling, shelter, rehabilitation, vocational training and empowerment to women and differently challenged persons. Prof. Rayappan also recognized children as among the most vulnerable victims of poverty, neglect and family violence. Through Child Labour Bridge Course programmes, Group Foster Homes, Destitute Cottage, FIT Institution and Transit Home initiatives, she worked towards providing children with protection, education, care and opportunities for a better future.
Her contribution extended beyond direct service. Prof. Rayappan was a social work educator, researcher, trainer, resource person and policy contributor. She served as Dean of St. Aloysius Institute of Social Work and as a Professor in the Post Graduate Department of the School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, Mangaluru. She also served on several child welfare and government committees, bringing the concerns of women, children and marginalized communities to institutional and policy platforms.
Her academic and research contributions focused particularly on women, alcoholism, family violence, poverty, empowerment and gender sensitization. She presented papers at national and international forums, including the Fourth World Conference on Women and NGO Forum in Beijing in 1995, and visited several countries to study and exchange social work practices.
Her dedication received recognition through several honours, including the Sandesha Special Recognition Award, Community Service Banking Award, St. Agnes Women’s College Award, Daijiworld.com Appreciation Award and Alumni Association Award of the School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya.
What makes Prof. Hilda Rayappan’s legacy particularly remarkable is that her work was not limited to charity or temporary relief. She believed in restoration of dignity, empowerment, rehabilitation and social transformation. Prajna also became a valuable field-learning centre for social work students and international volunteers, creating opportunities for young people to understand and engage with issues affecting women, children and marginalized communities.
Prof. Hilda Rayappan’s life stands as a powerful example of how professional social work, compassion and committed leadership can transform lives. Her legacy continues through the people she empowered, the institutions she built and the generations of social workers inspired by her mission.
