Padma Shri: in the field of Social Work-Microfinance

Chinna Pillai, a farmer by profession is from a small village called Pilluseri in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. She is known for developing and pioneering the Kalanjiyam-Self Help Group (SHG) for women by lending micro credit to empower women living in poverty. She is responsible for creation of over 2500 SHGs to benefit women.

In 2000, Prime Minister AB Vajpayee, while presenting Stree Shakti Puraskar award to her, touched her feet as a mark of reverence for her social service.