Rama Rau, Dhanvanthi (1893–1987)

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Rama Rau, Dhanvanthi (1893–1987)

Indian social-welfare worker. Name variations: Lady Dhanvanthi Rama Rau. Born Dhanvanthi Handoo, 1893, into an aristocratic Indian family; died 1987; m. Sir Benegal Rama Rau (1889–1969, diplomat, ambassador to Tokyo, 1947–48); children: Santha Rama Rau (b. 1923, writer).

One of 1st Indian women to attend college, taught English at Queen Mary's College in Madras (1917–21); began social-welfare work after marriage; served as secretary of All-India Child Marriage Abolition League (1927–28), member of International Alliance for Suffrage and Equal Citizenship (1932–38), and president of All-India Women's Conference (1946–47); worked for Family Planning Association of India (1949–63) and was president of International Planned Parenthood Association (1963–71).

See also An Inheritance: The Memoirs of Dhanvanthi Rama Rau.