She is S A Lalitha from Shedigaru in Koppa taluk. Lalitha is one of the nine children of Shedigaru Parvathamma and Achyutha Nayaka, who were plantation workers. After completing her primary education at Kuduregundi she did her high school education from St Joseph convent. She pursued her Pre University education in Bangalore and got a degree in Commerce stream from Dharwad. She holds a PG degree from Mysore University. Life of Lalitha in itself is an example for women.
After education, Lalitha plunged into social work and even took up teaching in a rural school in Bangalore. Later she joined Christian Institute of Religion Society (CISRS) in Raichur and started her fight against Devadasi system. After trying to empower the Devadasis through an organization named Sarvodaya, she marched ahead to Mumbai and in Mumbai she chose to go to the red light areas and educate the children of the Commercial Sex Workers.
When CISRS transferred her to Delhi as Assistant Director she devoted herself for the cause of the children of sex workers. For the last 30 years she has been working on gender issues and education of the children of sex workers through Sahana Education Society.
Lalitha represented India at the First Women’s World Convention held in 1996 at Stockholm. Lalitha who is working as the member of the sub committee of National Women’s Commission has been conferred the Dehali Kannada Sangha Award.
Speaking to Deccan Herald Lalitha said that her parents have been her guiding stars and the source of inspiration. “My parents never showed any disparity between their eight daughters and only son. They worked very hard to bring us up and their dedication and hardship is my inspiration,” says Lalitha recalling the days when she had even worked as a daily wage worker at Accord Estate for just Rs 2 per day.