M'lore: Women’s Day – Workshop on `Womanhood - A right to Live' at St Agnes College
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijworld Media Network - Mangalore (RS/SP)
Mangalore, Mar 8: A one-day regional level workshop on the theme, `Womanhood- a Right to Live’, to commemorate the International Women’s Day, was inaugurated at St Agnes College on Monday March 8. This programme is being organized by the women’s cell of the college, in association with the women’s study centre and St Agnes Alumni Association of the college.
Sr M Assumpta B S, general councillor of Bethany Generalate, was the chief guest at the inaugural. Speaking on the occasion, she said that a woman’s role in a family is very important, as the entire family is dependent on a woman, in educating the children and leading them towards becoming good citizens. New technologies like the mobile phones and other such devices are creating fissures in human relationships, but the woman has before her, the greater challenge of cementing the relationships within the family, mainly between the children and her relatives, she said, adding that good relationships in a family or in the society are very important and hence, urged the students also to learn about the values of relationships, to be able to lead a better life.
Dr Marie Prem D’ Souza, AC, principal of St Agnes College, in her presidential speech, said that the woman has to think globally by learning more and more, to improve the quality of her life. St Agnes college has set up a women’ cell as well as a centre for women’s study, towards achieving empowerment of the women through studies and to make the world a better place to live in, she stated.
Five students of the college were honoured with the ‘Young Achiever Award – 2010’ during the programme. Anupriya Shetty for her achievements in Academics, Arthika Subbaiah for sports, Meghana Rao for performing arts, Sr Mary Gracy for literature and Veekshitha Rao in the field of service, were honoured by felicitating them on behalf of the college.
Dr Deviprabha Alva, coordinator of the women’s cell in the college, briefed about the salient features of the workshop. College faculty, Diana Lasrado, welcomed, while assistant coordinator, Agnieta Aiman, proposed vote of thanks. Student coordinator, Ruvina Monteiro, conducted the programme. Sharon D Rego, coordinator of the women’s study centre, Floric Lobo, vice president of PTA executive committee and Jane D Souza, vice-president of St Agnes Alumni Association and Sr Maria Kripa, superior of St Agnes Convent, were also present.
Cultural programmes, including mime show and a play,`Brides are not for Burning’ directed by Dr Geralyn Pinto, and a panel discussion, were organized after the inaugural.
The Women’s Day is being celebrated in the form of ‘Women’s Week’, during which, seminars till March 13 will be organized. Prof Elsie Tharien, dean, humanities, and HOD of psychology in St Agnes College, will speak on the `Role of Women for Building a Healthy Family’. Vidya Dinkar, co-ordinator of Citizen’s Forum for Mangalore Development, will speak on ‘Dignity of Womanhood’. Student counsellor, Samina Nayak, will speak on ‘Redefining the Role of Women in the Present Scenario’. In addition, a seminar competition on the subject of `Women and Crime’ as well as a Talent show are on the cards during this week-long programme.