World Women’s Day Celebration
World Women’s Day program is organized on 7th, February, 2015 at Shri Janardhana Swamy Temple ground at 10.30 am. The program was started by the inauguration of rally by Smt. Girija, member of SHG, Guripalla. The Vimukti SHG Federation members participated in the procession by tying black cloth to their mouth with the intention that we are talking since very long to improve the status of the women living in Belthangady Taluka and frequently submitting the memorandum to the government but till now not any action taken to improve the safety and security of the women in the Taluka. And also it is not that we always keep quite by tolerating everything we strongly come back to fight for our rights. The main intension of this procession is to stimulate the society and make to think about the prevailing injustice meted to women.

After that Smt. Baby Guripalla, the Secretary, Vimukti SHG federation welcomed the whole gathering.

Sri. Vasantha Bangera, MLA, Belthangady congratulated the gathered women and said, As I know you are fighting for the betterment of the women in the Taluka as a result, today you are able to raise your voice through your Organization and fight against the injustice. You all have proved that now men and women are equal in the society. Though there are very strong laws and orders against women harassment, there is no reductions in crimes in our Taluka as well as in our state or nation. But if we strongly oppose these social evils, in future a day will come where there will be equality in our Taluka. I thank the Organization for supporting and strengthening of our women to raise their voice in the society against injustice.

Fr. Vinod Mascarenhas, the director of Capuchin Krishik Seva Kendra (R) (CKSK), Vimukti, Laila, opinions that the world women day is not a celebration but it is a reminder to all of us to raise our voice still higher against injustice. A very long back in America some women came together and raised their voice against the harassment and demanded their rights been protected. This has been continued till today and as a result today we too demand very strongly from the government to safeguard our rights and allow us to live equally with men. Today we appreciate the role played by women as a mother, daughter, sister, daughter in law but majority male society fails to give due and equal respect to girl and women. And men should allow every woman in their house to come out from their four walls of the kitchen and to join the main stream of the society. Men should also know what are the rights of women, how to reduce the crime in the society against women. A foreign country launched a film on an Indian girl Ms. Nirbhaya who lost her life due to her brave heart against rape and murder. But the criminal says that if you keep sweats outside, the street dogs will come and eat them. So girls, women should not take much freedom and go out from the house. Further he says, girls are not equal to boys. One of the chief minister commented, when a girl wears proper dress, a boy will not look at her in a wrong way. Another influential politician belonging to a national party remarked why Nirbhaya should go for movie at night? These above senseless and inhumane statement by the people who are in authority shows how cruel all these men? Hence we cannot expect much neither from the government nor from the people in authority. There are many institutions and powerful people who do a lot just to make name and fame for themselves but will never speak for women. Now we can see in our locality there are many incidents against women but the sad thing is that although there is CID and CBI enquiries till now victims and their family are unable to get justice. As women of Vimukti federation, we should not only concentrate in improving your economical status but also should fight against these injustices around us and should encourage your daughters and sisters to raise their voice against injustice.

Later the program was inaugurated by Smt. Girija, SHG member Guripalla. Smt. Kripa Alva, feminist activist said, today it is insufficient to talk for women but it is more important that we should do something for women from our heart. As we can see, today it is possible through Fr. Vinod Mascarenhas who has organized this beautiful event. I am congratulating him for speaking convincingly for women from his heart. It is possible because he might have come across caring and loving mother and sisters. As we know, March 8th is women’s day but I say it is not for only one day, it is for every day. Today any man in the family cannot live without a woman. For everyday largely men depend upon women. She said, as we believe, this world is created by the goddesses Adishakti but not by the male god. We call our nation as bharath matha who is a lady and we don’t call as bharath pitha. Today in the society 1 year, 4 year girl children are victimize to rape but it is not because of their dress. It is only because of the psychological problem of that rapist which makes him to do so. Today you as a mother have more responsibility in your family itself. You should practice to give equal importance to boy and girl child in your family. Women should give more attention to reduce the harassment in her family itself. Mathru Devobhava is the unique feature of our nation. A mother plays a major role in the Indian families. As we move towards modernization, we think our old parents are burden to us and we are sending them to the old age home. After Nirbhaya case everybody started to criticize the government. But when the bus is taking 3-4 round to Delhi and she screamed several times for help but no person in the locality was ready to give her a helping hand. Our first Prime Minister Sri Nehru says, it is not only the responsibility of the men of the country to develop the nation, but it is also the responsibility of the other 50% of the women living in the country. As women we have many superstitious beliefs within ourselves. Which make other women in the society suffers more than men harassing the women in the society. If a lady lost her husband we all remove her Mangalasuthra, kunkum and frowers from her hair. But it is not a best method to share her pain instead of that we should stand by her to support her. If our prime minister or the chief minister are successful in their life, the reason behind them is their mother and sister who have shown them the right path. There is a saying a hand which rock the cradle will have the power to rule the world. We can’t only blame men always but the women behind those men are also should think about these issues and fight for injustice. She concluded by saying “next to God we are indebted to women, first to giving us life and next to making it worth living”.

Fr. Alwyn Dias, Assistant Provincial of CKSK, wished the gathering and said, today I feel very happy to see you all here. Since 18 years you have improved a lot and raise your voice against injustice and demand your rights for which I congratulate you all. You are proved that you are the strong pillars of Vimukti SHG federation. And I wish to see that you give equal challenge to men in all the sectors. Many times sitting and listening to a talk is very easy. But to follow what we listen is difficult. I request you all to help those women in our society who are victim of different type of harassments. It is appreciable that today you have done a miracle. Here and I wish always Vimukti women should come forward to raise their voice against the evil system of the society. When all of you came in the procession you tied black cloth to your mouth. But it is not that always you will keep your mouth closed, it says that you should have the opportunity to speak up against the injustice. Your voice should reach every society and across the world.

Fr. Arun Lobo, Director, Vimukti federation, Chikkody and secretary of JPE, said, today you have tied up your mouth with black cloth in the procession. It is not that for ever you are sitting quite and will be voiceless. Today after 18 years long journey along with Vimukti, you should not create a compound around yourselves. You should come to the main stream of the society and should fight against the harassments and motivate the other women in the society to come front to resist this kind of activities in the society. Vimukti women should be a roll model to the other women in the society.

Smt. Vimala, President of Vimukti federation said, CKSK is supporting us to come forward in the society. After join to Vimukti SHG federation, I have improved so much .I was elected in Gram Panchayath as a president and after that I became a member in Taluk Panchayath. This all are happened through the support I have received from my Organization. I congratulate the Organization for supporting the least people of the society.

There after the Cultural programs are organized by the members of different SHG groups. Along with the lunch at 1-30 pm the program was concluded. Ms. Shali, Treasurer of Vimukti federation extended vote of thanks. Smt. Latha, secretary of Vimukti federation managed the M.C.