Gulestan Rustom Billimoria
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Gulestan Rustom Billimoria | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Occupations | Philanthropist, social worker, writer |
| Known for | Social service |
| Awards | 1972 Padma Bhushan |
Gulestan Rustom Billimoria was an Indian philanthropist, social worker, writer and painter, best known for her services for the special needs children of Mumbai.[1]
Born Gulestan J. Bhadurjee, Billimoria did her schooling at Girton High School and college studies at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai during which period she was a fellow of the University of Mumbai for two terms and a member of the university senate.[1]
Career
After her marriage to Rustomji Bomanji Billimoria, the founder of Bel-Air Hospital of Indian Red Cross Society and a Padma Bhushan recipient, she took over the management of the functions of the hospital.[2] Later, she helped found the Savera Special School Gulestan And Billimoria School, Mumbai of the Maharashtra State Women's Council, an institution for the mentally and physically handicapped children.[3][4]
She served as the Sheriff of Mumbai in 1957[5] and was the lady superintendent of the Alexandra Girls' English Institution, Mumbai from 1922 to 1937.[6]
Billimoria was a known painter and one of her paintings has been exhibited at the Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai (present-day Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya.[1] He has also written several articles on children with special needs. In 1972, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan,[7] the third highest civilian honour.[8] An annual lecture series is organised in his honour, called the Gulistan and Rustam Billimoria Endowment Lecture.[1]
Awards and honours
The Government of India awarded her the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, in 1972.[9]
Legacy
Gulestan and Rustom Billimoria Endowment Lecture is an annual event organized in her honour.[10]
