Dr Olinda Pereira

Dr Olinda Pereira was the founder Principal of the School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, Mangalore, and founder of Vishwas Trust. She was honoured with the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award from McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, in 1979, the Women Achiever Award from St Agnes College in 1997, the Sandesha Award for Social Service in 2002; Rachana Woman of the Year in 2008, Veera Rani Abbakka Award (for Social Service) and Karavali Honorary Award 2015-16.  Dr Olinda also served as the president of the National Committee on Women.

She was part of the founding team of the School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, and served as Founder Principal. Roshni Nilaya was the first of its kind educational institution in the state and was affiliated to Mangalore University. The institution started with a diploma course in social work. Later, the University sanctioned a postgraduate degree, Master's in Social Work. The graduate course of Bachelor’s in Social Work was sanctioned in 1972. In 2007, the college became autonomous. 

Post retirement, she went on to start the Institute for Working Women’s Hostel and Women’s Development Centre in Delhi. In 1991, she was transferred to Nairobi, where she set up a new Provincial House. Upon returning to Mangalore in 1999, she founded Vishwas Trust and spearheaded the cause of senior citizens. Vishwas Trust provided daycare facilities for the elderly and also trained people to treat and provide geriatric care. The Trust also runs a 24-hour helpline for the elderly.

Born into a Catholic family on August 15, 1925, Olinda received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Agnes College, Mangalore, followed by a Bachelor of Education degree from St Ann’s, Mangalore. After teaching for a period of 12 years, she went on to complete her MA in psychology from Banaras Hindu University. She joined the French religious congregation Daughters of the Heart of Mary and travelled to Paris in 1961 for her religious formation. She was awarded a PhD by Mysore University. Her publications included 'Understanding Children', 'Adjustment and its Correlation among Pre Adolescents', and 'Domestic Workers' Struggle'.

She passed away on 31 May 2020.

*Collected from the public domain

*Updated on 19/08/2025