Gulestan Rustom Billimoria

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Gulestan Rustom Billimoria
Born
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
OccupationsPhilanthropist, social worker, writer
Known forSocial service
Awards1972  Padma Bhushan

Gulestan Rustom Billimoria was an Indian philanthropist, social worker, writer and painter, best known for her services for the special needs children of Mumbai. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Born Gulestan J. Bhadurjee, Billimoria did her schooling at Girton High School and college studies at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai during which period she was a fellow of the University of Mumbai for two terms and a member of the university senate. [1]

Career

After her marriage to Rustomji Bomanji Billimoria, the founder of Bel-Air Hospital of Indian Red Cross Society and a Padma Bhushan recipient, she took over the management of the functions of the hospital. [2] Later, she helped found the Savera Special School Gulestan And Billimoria School, Mumbai of the Maharashtra State Women's Council, an institution for the mentally and physically handicapped children. [3] [4]

She served as the Sheriff of Mumbai in 1957 [5] and was the lady superintendent of the Alexandra Girls' English Institution, Mumbai from 1922 to 1937. [6]

Billimoria was a known painter and one of her paintings has been exhibited at the Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai (present-day Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. [1] He has also written several articles on children with special needs. In 1972, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan, [7] the third highest civilian honour. [8] An annual lecture series is organised in his honour, called the Gulistan and Rustam Billimoria Endowment Lecture. [1]

Awards and honours

The Government of India awarded her the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, in 1972. [9]

Legacy

Gulestan and Rustom Billimoria Endowment Lecture is an annual event organized in her honour. [10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Roberts, C., ed. (2004) [1939]. What India Thinks: Being a Symposium of Thought Contributed by 50 Eminent Men and Women Having India's Interest at Heart. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. p. 184. ISBN   978-81-206-1880-0. OCLC   56367767 – via Google Books.
  2. ↑ "About Us". Bel-Air Hospital of Indian Red Cross Society . Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  3. ↑ "The Maharashtra State Women's Council". Karmayog. Archived from the original on 30 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  4. ↑ Vishwanath, Rukmani (30 January 2003). "None wants to insure them!" . Business Line . Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  5. ↑ "Raj Bhavan Archives (A Class Files – Permanent Record)" (PDF). Raj Bhavan Maharashtra . Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2017. Sherriff of Bombay. Appointment of Smt. Gulestan Rustom Billimoria as Sheriff of Bomaby... [1956 to 1957]
  6. ↑ "Principals Over The Years". Alexandra Girls' English Institution . Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  7. ↑ "What India Thinks - C. Roberts: 9788120618800 - AbeBooks". www.abebooks.com. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  8. ↑ "Padma Awards | Interactive Dashboard". www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  9. ↑ "Previous Awardees". Padma Awards . Government of India. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  10. ↑ "Playwright Ramu Ramanathan To Speak At The 20th Gulestan And Rustom Billimoria Endowment Lecture: 'Four Plays And The City'". Mumbai Theatre Guide. 21 December 2017. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2018.

Further reading

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