Media Release

Beltangady, Mar 27: A programme was organized on March 25 along with the citizens of Belthangady as they met to discuss certain issues.

The programme “Murmara’ which means to whisper, discuss and to make known was held under a devudare tree.

Under this banner many public spirited citizens came together representing various organizations such as ‘Vimukti’, ‘Manhila Mandals’, ‘Shrisangatan’, ‘DKRDS’, St Thomas college, Govt. first grade college Punjalkatte and surrounding area and actively participated during the three hour meet.

The programme was initiated by welcoming all the gathered.  Fr Vinod Mascarenhas introduced the purpose and meaning of ‘Murmara’.

He said “ ‘Murmara’ is nothing but sharing and listening to one another and we must listen and share for this is the opportune time to all citizens who hunger and thirst for the change - in politics, administration, education, development and especially social status of women at this important juncture.

Deeds organization director  Merlyn moderated the event,  agreeing with Fr Vinod, she said “we must change and change is a buzz word and for us women we must understand what it means to us. For  us women it is all about atrocities, harassments, rape, discrimination and women’s life should change in this regard.”

Mary Shenoy, a retired teacher from StTeresa’s school said “Why is it that respectful behavior/decency pertains only to women? Respectful behavior should imply to men too. Decency to women should be  the same to men, what is  indecent to women should be for men as well. In the families women are worshiped as a Goddess but outside they are treated just the opposite by the same men.

Further she said that there should be a balance in equality between boys as well as girls.

Jecintha Monis shared “ At the lower level some women are chosen in the political field but these women are voiceless and weak in decision making and they totally depend on men for all the decision making issues.”

She also recalled the harassment meted out by a particular news paper to Teresa Lobo and when she was mentally down it is the women folk of Belthangady who not only stood by her but also led the protest to District Police commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of DK and the agent of the particular news paper  was given his due.

A St Thomas college student shared an incident that took place as she was traveling in the daily bus where she not only objected but also shouted at the man who ill behaved with her; she was of the opinion “ we can bring down the rise of harassment against women only when we strongly object and protest and then only can we get more support from others.”

Another student called Zeena shared that it’s not enough only to protest but parents must treat their daughters and sons equally.

DKRDS, Joseph said “there are  more than 4000 girls in DK that have disappeared but we are quiet on this issue.  There is sufficient budget which is set aside by the Govt after rape and murder in Delhi but not a single paisa has been spent. We should pressurize the Govt to take sufficient measures to safe guard the rights and interest of the girls and women.

Merlyn asked the gathering to pressurize the Govt to form women protection cells where effective steps are taken to deal not only harassment cases but also disappearing cases.

Teresa Lobo spoke at length about the steady and planned discrimination meted out to girls and women in the field of education and at homes. She was of the opinion that we must begin to change our attitude when a girl child is born in our own families and the system of discriminatory education must be put to an end.

Fr Jose Ayumgudy said “we must pressurize the political leaders to include 50% women reservation in their election ajenda. We should not limit women empowerment to economic but also social and political.”

Nadamani Nalkuru, areevu kuta organizer, was of the opinion that instead of waking at the last hour when the elected government is installed before the election ‘if we speak out things will work out in our favour’.

“Hence let’s organize ‘ Murmaras’ in the various localities and take up citizen concerned issues and make aware all the political party representatives who are fighting the elections,” he said.

Nadamani Nalkur sang various thought provoking songs and many citizens joined with him and made the listening and sharing ‘Murmara’ quiet meaningful.

Towards the end of the programme Mamatha consolidated all the issues and points that were raised during the discussion.

Merlyn assured that all these points will be presented to the various political leaders who are contesting the forthcoming elections.

Divya Kumari delivered the vote of thanks.