Need to change the mindset towards women

Silver Jubilee convention of Bharatiya Stree Shakti in Indore

“Despite possessing all qualities, the abilities of women are not being utilised fully in our country. One of the reasons of it is the problem of mindset. Women should get equal opportunities in every sector,” said the RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sah Sampark Pramukh Shri Aniruddha Deshpande, while speaking at the Silver Jubilee convention of Bharatiya Stree Shakti in Indore recently.

A total of 450 delegates from eight states attended the convention, which was inaugurated by Sushri Sunita Jain, Joint Collector of Indore. National president of Bharatiya Stree Shakti Smt Nayana Sahastrabuddhe, national secretary Dr Rajshree, Indore city president Smt Bina Gupta, secretary Ms Sharmishtha Maru and convener of the convention Smt Veena Paithankar also graced the occasion.

Speaking on “Role of Women in Nation-Building” Shri Deshpande stressed the need to eradicate social evils like casteism and make people understand the importance of swadeshi. For this the participation of women in decision-making process must be increased. The two day conference discussed at length the various aspects of “women safety” in various sessions. Dr Rajshree apprised the gathering of the organisation’s 25 years journey.

Sushri Sunita Jain appealed to the women to utilise the time for enhancing their skills and improving their qualities. Smt Nayana Sahastrabuddhe said it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure safe atmosphere for women. “We women should also behave responsibly and any law must not be misused,” she added.

The second session began with the presentation of a documentary on female feticide. They said erosion in family system lead to many problems. In the third session which was dedicated to women security, Dr Jyotasana Kukade, Adv Shalini Bapat and Varsha Tawade spoke. A documentary produced by Chetna, Delhi, was also screened at this session.  Dr Rama Jaisunder who is conducting research in AIIMS, New Delhi, was honoured by former justice Smt Meera Khaddakkar.

The opening session was attended by 450 representatives from different states. Chairperson MP women commission Ms Upama Rai said the National Commission for Women needs to make effective steps for women safety.

On second day, the conference adopted two resolutions on women safety and naxalism and terrorism.

National organisational secretary Nirmalatai Apte spoke on the work method of the Bharatiya Stree Shakti. She said the Shakti believes that man and woman are complimentary to each other and nobody should be ignored.           —Bureau Report

The All India Office Bearers Meeting of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) held at Solan in Himachal Pradesh from July 2 to 3 unanimously resolved to oppose the move of the Government of India to sell 5 per cent shares of the Nyveli Lignite Corporation, and decided to support the strike organised by 17,000 workers, officers and contract labour on July 3. Neyveli Lignite Corporation was started in 1956 as a corporate body by the then Prime Minister Pt Nehru on November 14. The mines were spread over by 60 villages surrounding Neyveli and thus the entire population of the area was sent out of the villages who are now residing in different parts of Tamil Nadu. One farmer had given 600 acres of land to NLC thinking that NLC is a Public Sector organisation, which could provide employment to thousands of youth and for the development of Tamil Nadu State and the country.

From then on NLC has been increasing its productivity in producing lignite and the power, the power especially feeding all the southern states of India. The Company earned through the sales around Rs.4,866.85 crore for the year 2011-12 over Rs. 4,295.95 crore of previous year. The company proposed to pay a dividend of 28 per cent for 2011-12 which is more than 23 per cent of the previous year. The total man power is 17,733 and about 10 thousand contract labour are working in the company. 

Now, the Government of India declared 5 per cent disinvestment in the NLC which would be sold to private entrepreneurs which means the Government has paved the way for privatisation of the NLC, a profit making NAVARATNA company extending huge wealth in the form of lignite and power to the country. All the 16 Trade Unions representing the employees and 4 Officers Associations are opposing the decision of the Government.  

—Bureau Report

10,000 photos of Vivekananda to be distributed among Vanvasis

Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram is organising different activities to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Recently many functions were held at Chamba, Garola, Bhramor, Shimla and Solan of Himachal Pradesh. Kalyan Ashram vice president Shri Kripa Prasad Singh attended majority of functions from July 1 to 8. The State unit has decided to distribute 10,000 photos of Swami Vivekananda along with the stickers displaying his teachings among Vanvasi houses in Lahaul Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba and Solan districts.     —Bureau Report

A programme to train the society in sewa

At the prayer hall in Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, 6,000 kilos of rice painstakingly collected by over 150 volunteers from 500 villages was kept heaped. On top of the heap Devi Annapoorna’s idol was placed. Hundreds of people recited Annapoornastotram. Anna Danam was performed. The rice was distributed among the needy institutions such as old age homes; day care child centres, etc. in the district. The programme was held on July 4, the Maha Samadhi day of Swami Vivekananda, which was observed by Kendra as the ‘Volunteer Day’.  This is not a one time charity. The Kendra organises seven such programmes along the year so that the annual rice requirement of these institutions is met. In a way, this programme trains the society in sewa, says a Kendra official.       (VSK Chennai)