By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)

Mumbai, Mar 9: The women’s wing of metro-based Billavar Association organized World Women’s Day celebrations at Billava Bhavan, Santa Cruz (East), on Tuesday March 8.

Grace Pinto, managing director, Ryan International Schools, inaugurated the programme on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, she urged the women to shed the notion of ‘housewives’ and said that in fact, they are homemakers in their own right.  She also called on men to respect women, starting with their own families.

All India Billava Federation president Jaya C Suvarna, in his presidential address, said that safeguarding women’s rights should be the chief objective of World Women’s Day celebrations. 

Dr Indumati Gopinath, social activist Shakila P Shetty, Bharat Co-operative (Mumbai) Limited assistant general manager Shobha Dayanand, Karnataka Sangh executive committee member Susheela Devadiga, and Radhikabai Pre-university College director Nirmal Sanil were the guests of honour.

Billavar Association women’s wing president Jayanti V Ballal, vice-presidents S Poojary and Prabha K Bangera, honorary chief secretary Laxmi N Kotian, office-bearers Leelavati J Suvarna, Mohini V Kotian, Vasanti Saliankar, and Soumya V Amin were present on the dais.

Billavar Association vice-presidents M B Kukyan, Nithyanand D Kotian and C T Salian, honorary chief secretary Jyothi K Suvarna, and honorary joint secretary Dharmesh S Salian were also present.

Jayanti V Ullal welcomed the gathering.  Sumitra S Bangera proposed the vote of thanks and  Laxmi N Kotian compered the programme. Various entertainment events were staged on the occasion.