12 Facts About Sudha Varghese

Sudha Varghese, known as Sister Sudha, is a former religious sister and social worker in India who has devoted herself to the Musahar, the Dalit of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, one of the Scheduled Castes and who are considered the "untouchables".

Sudha Varghese is sometimes called didi, which means "elder sister".

Sudha Varghese is the chief executive officer of Nari Gunjan, a not-for-profit organisation that provides education, literacy, vocational training, healthcare, advocacy and life skills for Dalit girls and women in Bihar.

Sudha Varghese trained there for a few years, during which she learned English and Hindi.

Sudha Varghese resigned from her job as a teacher in the convent, and in 1986 moved into a complex of mud and brick houses used by the lowest castes in India, to educate the Musahar.

Sudha Varghese had obtained funding from her parents, siblings, and the community.

Sudha Varghese returned briefly to the convent after being threatened by the parents of the perpetrators of an attack against Musahar boys; the victims had filed a police report, in part because of her teaching the Musahar about their rights.

Sudha Varghese teaches about the fundamental rights guaranteed to them by the constitution.

Sudha Varghese stated that she would try, and he allocated resources for her to open a school named Prerna 2 at a site in Gaya that she had chosen.

Sudha Varghese felt that karate would give the girls "more self-confidence, and self-protection".

In 2006, Sudha Varghese was the recipient of the Padma Shri, a civilian honour awarded by the Government of India.

In 2023, she was awarded with Jamnalal Bajaj Award, Sudha Varghese has been selected for rendering social service upholding Gandhian values.