Rama Ananth (1931-2004) was the founding president of Ashraya along with her good friends and colleagues Nomita Chandy and Shanthi Chacko.

Born in Calcutta, India in 1931, Rama was the daughter of a renowned scientist and given the customs at the time, was married at the age of 16. After the birth of her three children and encouraged by her husband, she completed her college education with a degree in education and psychology. While on holiday to Sweden in the early 1960’s, she was approached by a couple to help them research the possibility of adopting an Indian child. Upon her return, she began visiting local orphanages and helped the family through the various legal and bureaucratic steps in making their dream come true. This was the beginning of her 40 years of volunteer service in adoption and child advocacy.

In the years that followed, she represented children’s welfare organizations from Sweden, Denmark, Canada and several US based organizations and helped hundreds of children find better homes and lives in India and around the world. She co-founded Ashraya, a children’s home; Neelbagh, a residential school of children of migrant workers; and Tara, a shelter for battered women. These pioneering efforts have remained an inspiration to other child advocates around the world and will continue her legacy of service to women and children.

Rama was also an accomplished classical music singer; loved needlepoint, gardening and world travel.