Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS) 

Kundapur, Aug 2: Carmin Lewis (62), a resident of Hosadu Mullikatte of the taluk. is a rare type of service-oriented person. Whether it is joyous occasion or sad, Carmin's presence is there everywhere. She becomes a volunteer for any religious or social programmes. 

Carmin is a perfect example of social being. She is active in five self-help associations like Shree Kshethra Dharmasthala Grama Yojane, Sthree Shakti group, Navodaya Self-help Association, Sri Sai Women's Association and Divya Women's Self-help Union of Sampada. She was the president of Divya Women's Self-help Union twice and has shouldered the responsibilities efficiently. It is really commendable for a woman to be active in five self-help associations. 

In addition, she has received certificate of appreciation at the agricultural show that took place in Basrur in 2013, where she exhibited her pigs, which she reared by herself. Carmin is an excellent organizer. She unites women under her leadership and she has participated in various programmes.  

The specialty of Carmin Lewis is that she believes that all religions are equal. Though she belongs to the Christian community, she partakes in the religious programmes of all communities. Be it Satyanarayana Pooja, Bhajan, Yakshagana or Nagamandala, she volunteers to help without seeking any publicity. She works as a volunteer without fail in the local temples of Lord Subramanya and Ummalthi during the annual festivities. 

Carmin Lewis is extremely bold. She goes anywhere by walk, even in the dead of the night. Earlier, when a mentally unsound woman was to be caught, Carmin's help was sought and she successfully caught that woman. Carmin serves the helpless and mentally unsound people, if she comes across them. If there is death in any community, she does remain there till the final rites are over. 

Carmin used to work as an anganwadi assistant 40 years ago. During that time, she united some women near the anganwadi and hoisted the Indian national flag on August 15. This continued for the next 15 years. Now there is a well-built flag post. Carmin has been going to tie the flag to the post since 40 years. 

Carmin, who is a hardworking woman, manufactures Phenyl in her home, after getting trained in the same by

RUDSET. In addition, she does pig farming also. If she has time, she works in various places. 

Carmin takes place in sports events even at the age of 62. She participates in sports events like running race, holding lemon in spoon and running, musical chair and breaking of the pot during Krishnashtami. She sings the traditional songs of the Christian community in a melodious voice. Carmin, who is educated only till the third grade, can speak Kannada, Konkani, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and Tulu languages. 

Sampada Udupi organization has recognized the selfless service of Carmin Lewis and has honoured her with Achiever Award of 2019 for her work towards women empowerment and communal harmony. Carmin Bayamma, as she is known to locals, is a model every person in the modern world should try to emulate for maintaining peace and communal harmony.