90th Birthday Celebrations of Prof. Mrs. Lalitha Sirdeshmukh

By Bhaskar Rao on 18 Nov 2025

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Prof. Mrs. Lalitha Sirdeshmukh
On 16th of November 2025, a grand party was arranged at Minerva Grand, Begumpet to celebrate the 90th birthday of Prof. Mrs. Lalitha Sirdeshmukh by her children. Many recollected about their association with her and her noble nature. But she herself has lost her memory and is not able to recognize people. Nevertheless, she is healthy and, as is her nature, full of smiles.
All of us know Prof. Mrs. Lalitha Sirdeshmukh as a very conscientious and dedicated teacher and researcher. But she has on the other side a very kind and motherly nature. Even after her retirement, whenever we visited her home either at Warangal or Hyderabad, she would be a very good host. We had the privilege of eating cutlets made by her a number of times. As his son Santhosh was recollecting, this was extended to needy strangers also. He was narrating an incident that she saw a shepherd in tattered clothes shivering in rain outside her house. He was invited into her house and she herself made a cup of tea and served with the same gesture, she would do for a guest, in a cup used for guests placed in a tray.
Another incident which comes to my mind is her philanthropic attitude. Once, Prof. Sirdeshmukh wished to present jewelry to madam on the occasion of her birthday. But she refused and used the same money to buy blankets and distributed to the Lepers residing at Padmakshi temple. That shows her big heart.
I also remember her concern for adult education. She created a fund to be used for getting some basic material for teaching illiterate Class IV staff. She herself used to teach along with some of us. With all her responsibilities as a teacher, researcher and looking after family’s needs, she was teaching her maid servant to read and write.
Also from a fund created after a conference conducted by her, Prizes were given to first and second rank students Of M.Sc.(Pre) Physics students every year. Further from the same fund, competitions like essay writing or quiz were conducted on the eve of National Science Day. During the celebrations of the Science Day, these prizes were given.
With this, I wish her a very happy and healthy long life.