Mumbai, Mar 19: More than 700 women participated in 'International Women's Day' celebration organized by 'Jagruti Mahila Mandal' at St Jude’s Church Quadrangle, Jerimeri on March 15. The Theme of the Day was 'women uniting for peace'.

The programme began at 3 pm with a variety of songs sung by women from different zones (Jasmin, Nav, Jeevan, Ekta, Nayee Disha and Prem Chaya) and a welcome dance by JK Mahila Mandal. Mamtha Chettiar welcomed the gathering.

Dr Roopali Deshpande, the main presence of 'Forever Young', an NGO of Mumbai was the chief guest. Sr Seema introduced her group and welcomed them with a floral bouquet. She spoke about how women are exploited and treated. She narrated an incident about a cop who had 3 kids. Since he was an encounter specialist, he was proud of his stature. When his wife conceived for the 4th time, she was blamed for her carelessness and sent to her maternal home for delivery. She only hoped that she would deliver a baby boy, where she delivered a baby girl. Her perturbed brother, begged her husband to take her back and to accept the child. After much pleading and persuasion, her husband agreed just because the child looked like him.

In the same fashion she described the character of men and how they pass on the blame to women. Roopali and her group very professionally presented a mixed performance of dances with a message on rape, child abuse, partiality comparison of boys and girls. She also appreciated many men who support their wives in all ways. 'Forever Young' received a standing ovation from the crowd for their best performance. There was another excellent 'Drum' (UK style) presentation from JK staff trained by Stuvert of Don-Bosco, Kurla.

Sr Seema congratulated Rani Chettiar, president of JK and many other women for their service in society. Sr Dominica and Sr Tejaswini felicitated them with flowers.

Sr Seema also felicitated the core group, members of 'Judean Women Cell' of St Jude’s parish (Flora, Rani Chettiar, Mamtha, Sheila, Maria) which began recently. As JK successfully completed 26 years of its existence at St Jude’s parish on March 2, Flora, Melonie, Mercin and Gracy sang a 'happy birthday' song.

The guest of honour Fr Lancy congratulated Sr Seema, the founder of JK, Fr Allwyn and all the women for its success. He also spoke on 'equality' and recalled an incident which occurred when he was small. When he went to Mangaluru he narrated the experience of how his VODLI MAI would divide the daily routine work of sweeping, cleaning, washing vessels etc, among daughters and sons in the family.

Walter D’souza Jerimeri, Sr Sheetal, Sr Elizabeth were present on the dais. Gulshan delivered the vote of thanks and included all the donors who supported them generously as well as all those who helped to make this celebration a grand success. Maria and Rajkumari compered the programme.

Snacks were distributed to all. The programme finally ended with the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' .