Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SK)
Mangalore, Mar 9: International Women’s day was celebrated at Spandana Trust, Jeppu, here on Wednesday March 8. The programme commenced at 10 am with a prayer and lighting of the lamp.
Sr Mary Emma Joseph presided over the function. In her presidential address she said, "No person is powerful or weak. Everyone has potentials and strength which has to be developed and progressed. We have to work to develop the inner strength irrespective of the gender. Then there will be no gender discrimination. Educating a girl child educates the whole family".
Chief guest Manjula Rao, counsellor of VCTC KMC hospital Attavar, said that women should have very high dream. She should desire as high as the sky. Only then she will reach her goals and at least half of her dreams will be realized. She said male and female are like two wheels of the chariot and urged to maintain equality among boy and girl in the family and in all spheres of life.
The resource person Thukaram Ekkar, co-coordinator of DEEDS spoke on the public distribution system and the Right to Information (RTI) act. In his speech he said that woman suffer much as she is the person who cooks food for the family and hence good public distribution system will help the woman to be happy in the family. He explained the present public distribution system and availing of ration cards. He also explained about the RTI act and its benefits for women and the family as a whole. He also urged the group to fight for their rights and work out the RTI without any hesitation.
Sachin K T, co-ordinator, CHAI was present on the dias. He said TB is a very dangerous disease and women are easily succumbed to this disease. He urged women to be careful and visit the nearby DOT centre or Government hospitals if they have symptoms of TB or any other problems.
Dr Usha, medical officer, Father Mullers hospital gave the basic information about TB ailment to the group. Choicy, STS of TB centre, Wenlock hospital and local corporator, Jacintha Alfred were also present. Theertha K S, social worker, Victor Vas, co-ordinator and the staff organized and worked for the success of the programme.
About 900 women of different self help groups participated in the programme. There was entertainment programme by the self help groups and the animators of Spandana trust. Sr Evangeline, administrator of Spandana trust welcomed the gathering.
Usha Naik, president of the federation of women SHGs proposed the vote of thanks. Margaret Mascrenhas and Anna Crasta were the masters of ceremony.