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Bosco Integral Rural Development-(BIRD)-Guntur, 08th March.2016 : A special program to mark the International Women’s Day was organized at BIRD, Guntur. Ms.Sk.Johny Moon, Chairperson, Zilla Praja Parishad – Guntur, attended as a Chief Guest, and guest of honorees’, Fr.Thathireddy Vijaya Bhaskar, Provincial of Hyderabad Province, Sr.Ratna Mary, Provincial of St.Ann’s, Guntur, Fr.Louis Babu, Rector, St.Michael’s Boys Home, Guntur. The Director of BSK Fr.Arul Das, welcomed the Chief Guest, the guests of honor and all the women members to the event on the occasion of International Women’s Day (400 of them participated). He explained about Bosco Seva Kendra’s developmental activities and through women empowerment programs, BSK is able to reach 26,000 women members and their families. They have benefited from income generating activities/trades, trainings and credit support from BSK. He thanked all individuals and agencies that provided financial and technical support to BSK and members.
Chief Guest Ms.Sk.Johny Moon, Chairperson, Zilla Praja Parishad-Guntur greeted the gathering on the occasion of International Women’s Day and spoke about the importance of girl child education. Ms.Moon explained about the various government schemes that encourage girl children education and other facilities like “Chandranna Cheyutha” etc. MACS (Mutually Aided Cooperative Society) staff Ms.Mary and team played a skit on “Drunkard husband and distressed wife” to educate the women on how bad habits affect families.
Fr.Thathireddy Vijaya Bhaskar, in his message focused on the importance of education, if any child (boy or girl) educated and got the job, and settled in his life, then generations subsequently will get the benefit of education and discipline. He commended the work of MACS saying, “Through BSK, within 10 years of service 26,000 families have benefitted from income generation activities, trainings and credit support. I appreciate Fr’s and staff services in this program.”
Sr.Ratna Mary, Provincial, St.Ann’s Provincialate, Guntur gave greetings for International Women’s Day, and addressed the 2016 year theme “Pledge of Parity”. “Recently I read a survey that said male and female will get equality of rights and opportunities after 105 years; ‘Is this real?’” she asked the participants. “Do we have to wait for such a long time to get equality in gender? To get equality what do we have to do in our families?”. She cited examples of how parents had a differential outlook towards education of sons and daughters – sending the former to a good school and the latter to a mediocre centre to save money. She stressed on the need to start brining parity from home first for a change in society.
Fr.Louis Babu, Rector, St.Michael’s Boys Home, Guntur gave a message of family growth and importance of coordination between wife and husband towards family growth and children’s growth and discipline. Ms.Siva Kumari and team sang a song to educate the members on women empowerment. Fr.Thathireddy Vijaya Bhaskar and Fr.Arul Das distributed prizes to winners, who win the games and best performers as a Group leader, Board of Director, etc. Sr.Ratna Mary honored the members of staff who completed 10 years of service in Bosco Seva Kendra. Mr.S.Chandrasekhar State Coordinator, MACS, gave the vote of thanks and concluded the program.
