PADMAWATI DEVI, SHRIMATI, Cong., (Madhya Pradesh—Rajnandgaon—1967):  d. of Raja Bahadur late Pratap Bahadur Singh of Pratapgarh; b. at Pratapgarh, July 17, 1918; educated privately; m. Raja Bahadur Birendra Bahadur Singh of Khairagarh, 28th May, 1934; 2 S. and 2 D.; First Chairman, Janpad Sabha, Khairagarh; Member, (1) M.P. State Board of Indian Council of Agricultural Societies; (2) Madhya Bharat and Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assemblies, 1952—67; attended the Plenary Session, 13th and 14th World Health Assembly, in Geneva and New Delhi in 1960 and 1961 respectively; Leader, Indian Delegation to the 12th International Conference of Social Work, Athens, 1964; Minister of Public Health (1956—62), Social Welfare (1963-64) and Local Government (1964—67), Madhya Pradesh.

Social activities: Conducted—(1) the Child Welfare Centre; (2) the Red Cross Centre; (3) the Girl Guides Association, and (4) Shri Shivendra Sanskrit Pathshala, Khairagarh; Founder, (1) Indira Music College, and (2) Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya Trust, Khairagarh; Founder and Pro-Chancellor, Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh; Donor—(1) Kamal Vilas Palace; (2) the Chattisgarh Education Society, Raipur; (3) Shri Ramanashramam Veda Pathshala Tiruvannamalai; (4) Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla Debating Shield; and (5) Rani Padmavati Devi Women’s Debating Shield; Patron-in-Chief, Mahakoshal Women’s Hockey Association, Jabalpur; Ex-Chairman Women’s Section, M.P. Rashtra Bhasha Prachar Samiti, Bhopal; Ex-Member, Board of Governors, Lady Amritbai Daga College, Nagpur; Member, (1) Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya Court; (2) Board of Governors, Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya. Gwalior; (3) M.P. Rashtra Bhasha Prachar Samiti, Bhopal; (4) M.P. Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Bhopal; (5) Board of Governors, All India Women’s Education Fund Association, New Delhi, (B) National Rifle Association of India; (7) Tansen Festival Committee, Bhopal; (8) Advisory Board, Feroze Gandhi Memorial Bal Vikas Kendra, Kaithal; (9) M.P. Cultural Association Bhopal; (10) M.P. Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Hobbies:  Photography and music.

Favourite pastime and recreation:  Shikar and travel.

Special interest:  Social service.

Travels abroad:  Italy, U.K., Greece, France, U.S.A., Japan, U.A.R., Germany, Switzerland, Nepal etc.

Permanent address:  “Kamal Vilas” P.O. Khairagarh-Raj, Madhya Pradesh.