Hemalatha Lavanam (26 February 1932 – 19 March 2008) was an Indian social reformer, writer, and atheist who protested against untouchability and the caste system.
[1] Through Samskar, Lavanam and Hemlatha took part in historical surrenders of dacoits in Chambal Valley to Vinobha Bhave.
Her work made the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N. T. Rama Rao Government enact legislation in 1988 to eradicate the Jogini system, Kumud Ben Joshi, C. Rangarajan as Governor of Andhra pradesh oversaw the marriages for joginis in Rajbhavan, Hyderabad.
[8][9] K. Viyanna Rao, the Vice-Chancellor of Acharya Nagarjuna University, released the book and presented the first copy to her husband, Lavanam.
In 2003 she received a Red and White Bravery Award from Surjit Singh Barnala, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, for her contribution to the field of social work.