MALAPPURAM: Padma Shri awardee K V Rabiya (59), a literacy activist who bravely fought polio and cancer that affected her, passed away. She had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kottakal for about a month.

She was born in 966 to Moosakutty Haji and Biyachutty Hajjumma at Vellilakkadu in Tirurangadi. Rabiya was paralyzed by polio at the age of 14 completed her studies facing many challenges. After SSLC, she joined PSMO College, Tirurangadi, but could not complete her undergraduate studies. She later studied at home. Along with stories and poetry, she studied science and history. She earned her degree by studying on her own.

After her undergraduate studies, she started literacy classes at home. Rabiya, sitting in a wheelchair, taught many illiterate people in the village and guided them to the light of knowledge. Rabiya entered the field of literacy work in the 1990s. In 1994, she formed the organization named Chalanam Charitable Society with the aim of women's development and literacy.

She received the Nehru Yuva Kendra Award (1992) and the National Youth Award (1993). Rabiya received her first national recognition in 1994 with the National Youth Award of the Ministry of Human Resource Development. She also received the Bajaj Trust Award (1995), Ramashramam Award (1996), Karunakara Menon Memorial Award (1997), Jayasees Zone Award (1998) and M S S Ahmed Moulavi Memorial Award (1998).

In 1999, Rabiya was selected by the Junior Chamber International for the ten best young Indians ward. Rabiya was the first to receive the 'Kannaki Stree Shakti Award' instituted by the Child Welfare Department of the Government in 2000. She has received the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs Award (2000), UNDP Award (2000), Kuwait Tahira Award (2000), IMA Award (2002), Yuva Kala Sahithi Award (2003), Kerala Disabled Social Service Organization Award (2004), Murimattamthil Bava Award (2004), Star Friends Creation Literary Award, Riyadh Nahdi Award (2006), Malayalam Association Award (2007), State Literacy Committee Award (2007), Bhaskar Foundation Award (2008), Seethi Sahib Memorial Award (2010), Joseph Mundassery Award for Best Social Work (2010), Mahila Thilakam Award (2012), and Dr. Mary Varghese Award for Excellence (2013). He also received the Varam Hinaseshi State Award in 2021. Honored by the Central Government with the Padma Shri in 2022.

Rabiya has also written several books. She has written four books including her autobiography 'Dreams Have Wings'. Her husband is Bangalath Muhammed.