Roopa Lall
Port Blair, May 05: Islander’s Social Movement and Training (ISMAT), a women’s initiative, organised a felicitation programme titled “Women of Substance” with the vision to felicitate unsung heroes of these Islands on 4th May, 2019 at Andaman Law College Auditorium.
Dr. Helen Samuel, Medical Practitioner, Smti. Kamala Devi, Member, Yuvashakthi NGO, Smti. Brindawathi, Anganwadi Worker, Smti. Renuka Paul, Anganwadi Worker and Smti. Dominica Lakra, Treasurer, Mahila Mandal, Kadakkachang were honoured with award and certificates.
Prof. Pandiyan, Principal, Andaman Law College was the Guest of Honour. Smt. SmitaRidhorkar, Chairperson, Navy Wives’ Welfare Association was the Special Guest on the occasion.
Felicitating the awardees, Prof Pandiyan emphasized on the role of women in Indian society and shed light on the culture of respecting womanhood in the country. He also delved in depth on the importance of education among the female gender and awareness about the rights of women.
Smt. SmitaRidhorkar distributed the certificates to the awardees and praised the efforts of ISMAT in recognizing the contributions of women, who remain out of limelight and make a mark through their services.
Delivering the keynote address, Smt. SajidaZubair, Executive Member, ISMAT pointed out that women needs to tread a middle path between two extremities – outright liberalism and conservativeness. She added that their contribution to the society cannot be negated as they represent half of human population.
ISMAT, the voluntary organization is passionate about creating awareness on improving the societal values and striving for upliftment of women and children of these Islands. ISMAT has worked with all sections of the society in the past years and has strived to bring the change as envisioned by them. The programme, “Women of Substance” is one such campaign where they have brought forward those faces of extraordinary local women who are selflessly rendering significant service to the people.
Smt. Kamala Devi is a member of Yuvashakthi NGO who has helped 561 ladies become self employed by creating Self Help Groups and registered a Society under Registrar of Cooperative Societies named as “Andaman Coir Cluster Cooperative”. She also heads the Coir Board and is among the shareholders in the society.
Smt. Brindawathi works as an Anganwadi worker who has not only helped the women of her area but also children in the age group of 0-5 years by providing them hot cooked meals. She is also the Chairperson of school Management Committee, GDMS School. Smt. Brindawathi takes Bal Sanskar classes for children and adolescent girls of Anganwadi. She has won accolades from Ministry of Women & Child Development for her contribution in creating awareness towards BetiBachaoBetiPadhao. Without any financial help from outside, Brindawathi takes Anganwadi children on an exposure visit to the botanical garden of CARI in Port Blair. Smt. Brindawathi rescued a girl from potential harassment by registering an FIR on some youth who were found eve-teasing the girl.
Dr Helen Samuel, a medical practitioner rendered selfless service among the tribals in Little Andaman and Great Nicobar.
Dominica Lakra volunteered as an ASHA Worker at PHC-Bambooflat from 2009-2015 where she provided counseling and health care services to pregnant ladies before and after delivery.
Renuka Paul has been working as an Anganwadi Worker from past 30 years and has rendered exemplary services in this time period. She had set up an Anganwadi Centre in her area for children to study and learn. However she had to face immense criticism and opposition from the parents who refused to send their children to the Centre.
In an endeavour to mark Women’s Day, a research study was commissioned by ISMAT by engaging two independent researchers who completed their Post Graduation in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. The objective of the extensive survey was to study the status of women in these islands. The final report prepared by Ms. Humaira Khan, MSW, TISS, a researcher and counselor from Mumbai was released during the programme and distributed to guests for an insight. The purpose of the study was to sensitize and create awareness on some basic aspects of life, for women of the Islands.
Reading out excerpts from the report, Mrs. Asma Khan, B Tech, CSE, the Survey Technical coordinator and Executive Member, ISMAT highlighted some of the vital findings and expressed that the report would be handy for the policymakers and law keepers in improving the condition of women in the Islands and providing a safe and secure environment for them.
The report reveals some motivating facts such as the ratio proportion of gender discrimination is far less than compared to the mainland India which shows that the women here are treated equally as men in all aspects. Some startling facts in terms of safety and security were also revealed. According to the report findings, this extensive report can hence be utilized by authorities to formulate better guidelines and framework and work in unison to improve the current situation and make these islands safer for women.
Earlier, Mrs. Shahnaz Jadwet, President, ISMAT welcomed the gathering and Mrs. Mehwash Jadwet, Vice President, ISMAT proposed vote of thanks.
