Dr.Lalitha Regi, a shy and reticent malayaly gynaecologist based in Sittilingi, Dharmapuri dist., Tamil Nadu, has won the Vanitha Woman of the year 2008 award instituted by the Malayala Manorama publication in honour of Kerala women who have contributed to society by doing exemplary work in the field of education, healthcare and social service.Simple, petite and caring, this good lady, alongwith her vivacious and unassuming husband Dr.Regi George, has been playing the good Samaritan among the indigenous people of one of the most backward areas of Tamil Nadu for the last 16 years, literally transforming their lives and their destiny.She works as the project co-ordinator of Tribal Health Initiave, a registered charitable trust that the doctor couple set up in 1993.
Originally from Tripunithura, Ernakulam dist., and a member of the erstwhile Cochin royal family, Lalitha used to cherish dreams of serving the needy right from her younger days, as she was influenced by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda and Gandhiji.It was while doing medicine at Alappuzha medical college that she met her man who shared the same ideal of helping the poor.And once they realized the commonality of their vision, there was no stopping them.
She is affectionately addressed as “Tha”by the tribals and Dr. Regi as “Gi”.And the wonderful low profile “GiTha” pair has managed to rewrite the fate of innumerable localites of this land, who were far removed from the mainstream, being totally devoid of health, hygiene and literacy. From a mud-thatched OPD-cum-labour room, the THI now boasts of a full-fledged hospital with the latest amenities, thanks to the determination, devotion and perseverance of Lalitha and her husband.
Woman of values
Dr. Lalitha’s work involves initiating and supervising the entire healthcare activities of the village that includes counseling and training the village girls and women who work as health auxiliaries besides practising medicine at the tribal hospital founded by the doctor couple.Her husband Dr. Regi who is basically an anaesthesia specialist, looks after the management and related aspects of the trust.She has been successful, alongwith her husband, in spreading health, hygiene and happiness among the tribals of Sittilingi.They have been able to convince the villagers on the relevance of basic needs, in contrast to high tech medicare for a healthy living.In short, they have been helping these people to heal themselves through their lifestyle, as testified by the motto of the trust.
That they consciously gave up the modern day comforts of life, higher academic and professional opportunities to chase their own dream of providing succour to the needy is praiseworthy indeed.In Dr. Lalitha’s words, “One of my most rewarding experiences has been unlearning all the knowledge that my education and upbringing had taught me and learning the ancient tribal wisdom from these simple village folk with an open heart and mind.”
Vanitha Woman of the year 2008 – Dr.Lalitha 
Dr.Lalitha Regi, a shy and reticent malayaly gynaecologist based in Sittilingi, Dharmapuri dist., Tamil Nadu, has won the Vanitha Woman of the year 2008 award instituted by the Malayala Manorama publication in honour of Kerala women who have contributed to society by doing exemplary work in the field of education, healthcare and social service.Simple, petite and caring, this good lady, alongwith her vivacious and unassuming husband Dr.Regi George, has been playing the good Samaritan among the indigenous people of one of the most backward areas of Tamil Nadu for the last 16 years, literally transforming their lives and their destiny.She works as the project co-ordinator of Tribal Health Initiave, a registered charitable trust that the doctor couple set up in 1993.
