“My greatest friend is my husband Dr.Anbumani Ramadoss, who has won
my heart as a friend, philosopher, guide and he encouraged me to study in Harvard and also to participate in World Environmental Conferences in Johannesburg, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, and New York.”
Dr. Sowmiya Anbumani is a true blue Chennaite and she was raised in the city. She is the daughter of an eminent lawyer (M.P.) M.Krishnaswamy. Her talented mother K.V.Chitra was keen on making her daughters truly outstanding. A Sociology graduate she tutored them in dance, music, fine arts, languages, dramatics, elocution and ensured her children excelled. Dr. Sowmiya recalls about her mother and childhood, “She was the reason I was the Class Leader, Tamil Club Secretary and General Proficiency Prize Winner in school and college. Our topic of discussion in the dining table would be rural India, poverty, farming, caste, and honesty in public life if I were to become ‘Jilla Collector’. My mother used to tell me to be consistent and respect everyone.”
The birth of Pasumai Thaayagam!
In 2002, Dr. Sowmiya was asked to start a Tamil environmental magazine titled Pasumai Thaayagam by her father-in-law Dr. S. Ramadoss focusing on environmental issues such as pollution. Pasumai Thaayagam was an NGO started in 1995 by him and took up initiatives such as tree planting drives in and around the government colleges in Tindivanam. Later, his son and Dr. Sowmiya’s husband Anbumani Ramadoss became the President and conducted awareness campaigns like bike rallies. Meeting collectors regarding pollution, air water and land pollution, especially in Ranipet – Vellore where they have the leather factories.
She spoke about the challenges she faced initially. “We had to reach people as they don’t come into the stalls to buy magazines like this. So, we had to go to the libraries and schools. A milestone for me was when people started recognising me when I visited places and appreciated the magazine editorial or shared that the articles were good or they had a discussion on these articles.
“A lot of Doctors read the Editorials and call me. Renowned Anaesthetician, Dr.Kanagaraj, Padmashri Dr A Rajasekar and others would call and appreciate the articles. Suddenly in some place, say Kanyakumari or Karaikudi out of the blue I would meet readers, it’s very rewarding. HODs from colleges tell me that when we they discuss environmental topics, they refer Pasumai Thaayagam.”
Environmental initiatives that made a mark
Dr. Sowmiya reveals, “Our tree planting drives and desilting of lakes caught the attention of people and they started welcoming us to schools and colleges. We don’t believe in planting trees somewhere on the side of the road or in front of the Collectorate as the next day we can see the sapling wilting there. We prefer schools and colleges where students will nurture them. Some of the functionaries visit after few years and see how the trees are being maintained and give certificates. Sometimes we have a function under the trees we have planted and take a picture for comparison. The magazine serves to document our work.
“We have worked on cleaning 1000 lakes in the short span of around 4 years. One more new venture is that would be conducting exhibitions in schools. We conducted an Udal Paruman Peraabathu or an Obesity Exhibition which was a big success and was taken to many schools and colleges. We created awareness that it’s not just junk food but just what you eat every day that make you obese, even health drinks have so much sugar. We organised camps and seminars and suggested alternate foods like herbs and organics.
Chennai’s water crisis and floods
When it comes to water resources, there have been times when Chennai has faced severe water shortage with some even comparing it to drought-stricken Ethiopia. On the other hand, in recent times, it has reeled under flooding. Dr. Sowmiya elaborates, “5000 acres in Pallikaranai has now been reduced to 500 acres, this is a marshland where it can catch all the rainwater for the city for the whole year. Every rainy season it’s flooded as the water does not know where to go, wherever the water bodies were there, now encroachments are there. They said Yeri Thittam and all the waterbodies are blocked how will the city get water? Water is coming from Veeranam and the people living around it are suffering. Iyappanthakal, Pallikaranai, Nungabakkam, Pattinambakkam were all water catchment areas. We need a proper water system.”
Should Koyambedu market be made a park?
Dr. Sowmiya speaks of creating lungs for every city by earmarking spaces for parks. She elaborates, “Every country has large parks, for instance Central Park In New York, Hyde Park in London. Not just them, Indian cities like Bangalore, Mysore and Delhi have really big parks but Chennai does not have any on that scale. You need big parks to clean up the air, thousands of trees will give fresh oxygen to the city. Birds will come there, some water body will come up. Koyambedu market has gone elsewhere buy they want to build a mall. What’s so great about a mall, there are malls everywhere. If they construct a park, there will be a community space where elders can walk and children can play.”
The world is in a Climate Emergency
“We have been talking for long about climate change. Now, we are past that, we are in a Climate Emergency. Have we heard of cloud bursts or extreme weather incidents? We had heard of tornados in the US but now here too we saw the same. In Panruti, age-old cashew trees were uprooted and livelihoods disrupted. This is the only stage where we can save our planet.
“We are so dependent on fossil fuels, and we have to reduce our dependency on this and look at alternates like solar, wind and hydro and this needs to change. Changes will have to be made otherwise the Water crisis will start; disasters will increase. Forest fires are now spreading in all continents. Glaciers are melting fast and after 15 or 20 years, island nations will be submerged. We will see more diseases.
Climate agreements
Climate agreements come up at various global conventions and conferences but its mostly the developed nations that are more amenable to these. For instance, Dr. Sowmiya says, “Trump never signed any climate emergency agreement but we had to, since we are a developing country and we will be affected the most. Third World countries are dumping grounds. There are no leather factories in developed countries as it pollutes water resources. We have signed an agreement that no fossil fuel mines will be opened newly but recently, suddenly there was a rule that 150 new ones can be opened.
What should be done?
On the personal front and larger Governmental front, many steps need to be taken. Dr. Sowmiya says, “People should avoid plastic bags, use solar power as everything is subsidized, go for CFC bulbs and car pooling to reduce our carbon footprint. The Government came up with the Chennai Action Plan and Tamilnadu Action Plan but they did not even address air pollution in that. So, we all went and met the Commissioner and Mayor bringing up this point and asked for it to be translated to Tamil because whatever they had written was completely jargon and only very few people would understand. The agency was one that had been employed by the Maharashtra Government so they don’t know about our state.
Is alcohol prohibition practical?
One of the things that Dr. Sowmiya and her party have been advocating is the prohibition of alcohol. However, is this really practical? On being queried, she says, “Banning alcohol is practical. During the Covid lockdown, all hotels and TASMACs were closed and none of those who had that habit. There are 4300 TASMAC shops in the state and this alcohol is available in dingy lane shops too, and women are suffering. Total prohibition is important, think of it, people who can’t even afford to look after their children spend their money on alcohol. Last year they brought a policy that alcohol can be consumed at sports events but we protested and stopped it. If at any cricket ground, alcohol is served will we go and watch? The family crowd will stop going there. They also wanted to allow alcohol at wedding halls but why? How will ladies feel safe? We fought against it and stopped it.”
Safety for women
Safety for women is a big concern today, sexual violence is so rampant. We have to teach our girls to get interested in martial arts. You have to teach sons and daughters that there is no gender difference. If a husband does not respect his wife or mother, how will the son respect women? Being a patriarchal society, they will look at women as secondary citizens. Children and adults must be sensitised to avoiding tobacco, alcohol and substance abuse.
Family
Dr. Sowmiya hails from an illustrious family. Her grandfather on one side was the Ex M.L.A. Late K.Vinayakam, who fought to join ‘Tiruthani’ back to Tamil Nadu from Andhra Pradhesh. Her family was into social causes. Another grandfather came from a humble agricultural background.
Her father-in-law S. Ramadoss, the founder of the PMK was a futuristic thinker and social reformer and played a key role in getting many things actioned. He brought reservation for MBCs, PG quota for SCs, reservation for Arunthathiyars and so on.
A good husband & a great friend
Speaking about her husband, Dr. Sowmiya says, “My greatest friend is my husband Dr.Anbumani Ramadoss, who has won my heart as a friend, philosopher, guide and he encouraged me to study in Harvard and also to participate in World Environmental Conferences in Johannesburg, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, New York. He has helped me in producing Tamil Audio CDs on ancient Literatures like Silapathigaaram, Kutrala Kuravanji, Mukkoodar Pallu and Manimegalai.
“My husband was instrumental in getting the Act banning smoking in public places passed. Passive smoking was stopped and this has yielded results. Lung disease and respiratory disease has come down. Patients coming to Government hospitals on these grounds are lesser. In the US he got a standing ovation and was awarded, however, here American Cancer Society gave an award but here they refuse to acknowledge.
“Under the National Rural Health Mission, he brought in the concept of the 108 ambulance. Every VHP gets its own fund and distribution of power to the grassroots. He is the recipient of the United Nations Award and the Rotary Club International Award which only he and Manmohan Singh have received among Indians. Other awardees include Tony Blair, Bill Gates and so on.
“I live with the real hero. Before marriage, I knew I would do some community service. My family wanted me to become an IAS officer and do a lot of welfare. But even before I became a Collector I got married. My husband and I usually don’t fight, If I fight he stays quiet and vice versa
Surrounded by love
“I have three lovely daughters and the first two are married while the third is currently pursuing her PG in Sociology. The elder is very calm and into creative pursuits, the second is an engineer and very hard-working. My children are very obedient, God-fearing and respect elders. Importance to values and spirituality, strictness to children is something my husband and I follow. Education and moral values are important. Our children are free enough to tell us what they like or don’t. My husband is very friendly with our girls so they will first tell us any important thing in their lives. In some ways, I am protective, I would never send them to concerts. I am scared of the crowd. Night shows are not allowed. They can go out anywhere with friends otherwise.
“I personally supervise the menu at home. I make sure children and grandchildren eat all vegetables. We love Yercaud as my husband studied there. We just go and stay there, go for drives and do trekking.”
A beautiful childhood
“I was fortunate enough to enjoy a comfortable and pleasant childhood, I studied at good schools such as Adarsh Vidyalaya and Hindu Senior School. I completed my BA Sociology at Stella Maris College, Chennai and Masters at the University of Madras and PhD in Madurai Kamaraj. My mother used to speak a lot about sociology which inspired me. It’s the study of society and its dynamics. I fell in love with the subject.
Politics & life
“Being a politician’s wife, you understand that every election result will be different, sometimes good, sometimes bad and we take it in our stride. We are hard workers, there are many events he can’t go to and I have to go. Life is busy but the love and affection from people is something else. People love us they call me Akka and Anni. They appreciate our speeches.
“We connect very well with people but when asking votes, we have done a lot but can say only few and don’t know if they understand or not. When it does not reach, it’s a bit upsetting. Threats on our work come, its part and parcel of being known.
“I don’t have any cultivated image, my nature is like that. I read a lot and keep myself updated so I can do impromptu speeches. If I don’t know the subject I will openly say it.”
Fashion statement
“My dressing may be culturally traditional but my mind is liberal. I accept people the way they are. I am very comfortable in sarees and can even climb hills fast in a saree. I like Kanjeevarams and nothing should poke my skin. I don’t like too much of dull colours and love vibrant ones like oranges. I stay fit and take care of my food. I do weight training so my posture will be perfect.”
The beautiful woman she is inside and outside shines bright as she moves ahead to new projects flashing a bright smile.