By Sangeetha Paul and Alphonsa Kumari
Kolkata, March 7, 2019: “Be a Responsible Voter to save Democracy” was the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day Celebration, on March 8, by Udayani Activists.
The Dalit and Adivasi Self Help Group (SHG) women from the six different blocks where ‘Udayani’ works decided to celebrate International Women’s Day, just as in the past.
Udayani (awakening) Social Action Forum is the social outreach arm of the Calcutta province of the Society of Jesus.
In the beginning of the program, all women stood up and took an oath by reciting and repeating the leader in the following words: “I vow to be a responsible voter. In the upcoming general elections (May) I will vote for a candidate who will adhere to the constitutional values of sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic and protect the democracy with the spirit of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity among the people.”
“I resolve that I along with my family, village and SHG members will work to establish a peaceful society.”
Of the six celebrations two already celebrated; Adarsha Sarva Sadharan Sangathan (ASSS), in Jamlpur block, district Burdwan, on March 5 and Pratusha Nari Sangathan (PNS), Pandua block, district Hooghly of West Bengal on March 6 in collaboration with Udayani Social Action Forum. Four more are being celebrated through the March.
The long drawn efforts of Udayani have strengthened the SHGs and Federations to form NGOs. The two offshoot organisations of Udayani, namely Pratusha and Adarsha, have different connotation of their names, ‘Pratusha’ means ‘confidence to live for others’ and ‘Adarsha’ means ‘Inspiration’ the women explained!
Ms. Champa Mandal, one of the leaders of Pratusha, narrated painfully through her speech, “Heavy downpour these days caused havoc during harvesting of potatoes and onion. The poor farmers and farm labourers who invested on the leased land are left with nothing and stare at the bleak future while big multinational company and business houses are running away from the country with billions of rupees. The cries of the farmers are not being heard of.”
“We are celebrating the uniqueness of women and men and how they can supplement each other in building the Human society. As per the one of psychological study, women are found to be superior to men with regard to Intelligent Quotient (IQ), Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Spiritual Quotient (SQ).’ and this uniqueness needs to be celebrated,” Jesuit priest, Irudhaya Jothi, director of Udayani, said.
It was good to see the Federation women of women NGOs formed by Udayani and the executive committee members of the NGO decorating the stage as chief guests and celebrating themselves as inspirational leaders. It signifies that women empowerment in taking place rapidly in their midst. These women are awaiting the official registration of their NGOs.
Meanwhile they continue to be partners with the National Right to Food Campaign as individual organizations.
One could not ignore the sensitivity of women in the celebration. It was delightful to see women making every attempt to go eco-friendly way. Through serving meals on leaf plates, the women portrayed that they are close to nature and they pledged to go anti-plastic in their day-to-day life.
Through community dance and community meals, the women proved that they stand united irrespective of their difference in religion, caste and ethnicity and there was an absolute celebration of womanhood!
The women immensely enjoyed the program and actively participated in the celebration through songs and traditional dance performances. Through these performances the women also promoted their cultural heritage.