Academic and former Left-backed legislator Nabeesa Ummal, who was also the first Muslim woman post-graduate in Malayalam language, died in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday due to age-related ailments. She was 92.
Nabeesa is considered an icon of women empowerment, won election as a CPI(M)-backed independent candidate from Kazhakootam Assembly segment near Thiruvananthapuram in 1987.
She was born on 30 June 1931, in Kallanvila, Attingal, in present-day Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, as the youngest of five children of Asanummal, a native of Bhoothapandi, Tamil Nadu, and Khader Moideen, a police constable. After studying at Attingal Government Girls High school, Nabeesa Ummal obtained BA and MA degrees from Thiruvananthapuram Women’s College, studying Economics, Politics, and History in Malayalam. She was the first Muslim woman to pursue a postgraduate degree in Malayalam.
Ummal married Hussain Kunju, a soldier from Nedumangad, while pursuing her pre-university studies at the Thiruvananthapuram Women’s College. The couple had six children.
Before venturing into politics, Nabeesa taught in various colleges in a career spanning 33 years. Among her various achievements, she was also the first Malayalam scholar after legendary poet-scholar A R Raja Raja Varma to become the head of the Malayalam department and later the principal of University College in Thiruvananthapuram.
Respectful farewell to Madam Nabeesa Ummal. RIP.
Respectful farewell to Madam Nabeesa Ummal. RIP.