Dr. Soundram, the founder of the Gandhigram Trust, was a remarkable figure in India's struggle for social reform and independence. Born in 1905 into an affluent family in Madurai, she was exposed to the principles of social justice early in life, a value her mother championed through her involvement with Mahatma Gandhi's initiatives. This environment fostered Soundram's patriotism and deep commitment to serving the underprivileged in rural areas.