Award for officer injured in Chepauk inferno

CHENNAI: Samhitha’s and Sathvika’s mother Priya Ravichandran was undergoing surgery even as they sat beaming, for speaker after speaker heaped praise on the Divisional Fire Officer, who sustained severe injuries while battling the fire at the Chepauk Palace in the wee hours of January 16. The girls, aged eight and five respectively, received an award on their mother’s behalf. The Outstanding Woman Defending Culture Award for this year, presented by Global Adjustments, was conferred upon Priya Ravichandran for her valour and dedication in attempting to fight the fire at the Kalas Mahal section of the Chepauk Palace.Sathvika sat with her mother’s medal around her neck on a tricolour ribbon, while Samhitha held the trophy, reading the engraving out to her little sister in a low voice, tracing the letters in her mother’s name with her index finger. Every time a speaker said their mother’s name, they looked up. Priya’s mother, Soundaram, who was sitting next to the girls, broke into tears every time someone praised her daughter.The Award was presented to Priya’s daughters by Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur, who praised the officer’s dedication. “I have had a very busy schedule since I came to Chennai. But this is certainly the peak of it. To find leadership done this way, by example, is rare,” he said. “I hope the girls will take inspiration from their mother,” he added. Tamil Nadu’s Information Secretary, M Rajaram, underlined the government’s commitment to supporting Priya through her healing period. “Our honourable Chief Minister had visited Priya Ravichandran at the hospital. She has instructed the hospital to provide the best medical care to the brave officer and that her government would bear the entire cost,” said Rajaram.Even as she expressed pride at her daughter’s service, Soundaram could barely hold her tears. “Obviously I am proud, but every time I think about the pain she is undergoing, I break down,” she said.Priya Ravichandran was conferred with the Outstanding Woman Defending Culture Award by a committee comprising INDeco Hotels CMD Steve Borgia, Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur, Information Secretary M Rajaram and Global Adjustments CEO Ranjini Manian.