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At the Institute Menezes Braganza Hall in Panaji, today 27/10/2004 at 5.40 p.m.(IST) the Goa State Social Welfare Board ( a government body which looks after the welfare activites of women in the State )held a brief function to release a Directory of both aided and unaided Institutions in Goa at the hands of His Excellency the Governor of Goa Mr S C Jamir, a Christian tribal from the North eastern State of Nagaland (one of the SEVEN SISTERS) The hall was packed to capacity ---- all women and just a dozen men ---- Over two thirds of the women almost all Hindus were from the Novas Conquistas (New Conquests ) the Talukas of Sanguem Canacona Sattari Ponda Quepem Bicholim and Pernem . The Nirmal Vishwa Group had arranged for the transport of these persons The function ought to have started at 5.00 p.m. (IST) but took off only at 5.40 (IST) after the arrival of the Governor. There was high security --- sten gun armed personnel body guards and a metal detector at the entrance of the Hall -- to screen the public as they entered into .This attracted a good number of onlookers (mainly office goers around ) near the Institute to watch the Governor and the First Lady-- One pedestrian mistook the Governor and his spouse for a Japanese dignitary visiting Goa amidst loud laughter -- The hall was stuffy though the weather outside was reasonably pleasant. The fans were working alright but apparently for security reasons( ? )all the doors of the west side of the hall were closed. The Governor who is always immaculately suited and booted was seen on the dais sweating profusely and wiping off the sweat as the less than an hour function got underway. Unfortunately the Chairperson Ms Mridula Sinha of the Central Social Welfare Board who was the Chief Guest of the ocassion was absent and the Guest of Honour the Governor had to release the Directory. According to Ms Veena Phadate the Goa State Social Advisory Board draws its inspiration from one Smt Durgabai Deshmukh who is considered as a "godmother" of the welfare board --- for the yeomen service she rendered to the cause of women and their upliftment--- The Goa Welfare Board has been doing a lot on women welfare with emphasis on literacy health care They have organised health camps in various Talukas and have purused the issue of the "girl child" and empowerment of women in right earnest under the "Manavi Surakhshan Abhiyan" The Governor however impressed the audience with his clear observations on women. He stated quiet bluntly that that "human beings are the greatest asset --- for they are the creation of God in His own image and likeness--- therefore all humanity i.e men and women are equal ---It is the distortion by society, religion, male selfishness, that there arose a difference between man and women --- He proudly told the gathering in clear English that in his homeland the State of Nagaland there is a) NO CASTE SYSTEM b) Women and Men are equal c) there is NO DOWRY d) women and man work hand in hand .... There is at the grass root level besides the Village Council a separate Village development Council the Board provides 15% financial assistance and the rest is raised by the community . A Deputy Commissioner is appointed to ensure that the monies kept in Banks are utilised faithfully for the community . The villagers plan and implement the schemes necessary for their welfare . There are additional funds for women and for the youth as well and there are women and youth representative on the panel. In Nagaland --- he went --on there are love marriages, -- less or no suicides -- it is a totally free society any girl can chose her life partner because the Nagas treat every one as human beings it is clearly an open frank and fearless society --- He was not happy with the idea of 33% reservation for women --- why do we need 33 % reservation? can we not treat them equally? -- he questioned the audience. By demanding 33 % reservations he felt one was only separating the women from man infact treating them as inferior, though the Almighty created woman as a life partner for man. He was convinced that mere reading of rosy reports was not enough ---- apparently refering to the earlier speaker who spelt out the details of the Board activites since inception in 1963. What is important he stressed is the need to guage how far the schemes have reached the rural women--- he expressed concern over those living below the poverty line in the rural areas, about those who do not get access to health care nutrition or a single meal.. One sees Old age Homes in the urban areas why not in the rural areas where the old and feeble are left unattended ? -- surely they do deserve a fair share. There is so much talk of empowerment of women but unless they are treated as equals there can be no development of society. In conclusion he admitted that he was unaware of the ground reality in Goa as he has taken over only three months ago but was clear that there could be no empowerment of women if it lacked a) a human touch b) compassion and love c) national reconciliation and reformation.. The developments in the country were not too convincing and if India has to be an ideal democracy it needs to eschew all of the above he said. These were truly prophetic thoughts from Goa's Governor but the only unfortunate part was that they were delivered in English and the audience could not understand what it all meant --- this was seen from the blank stare or gossip going on amongst the women while the Governor eulogised on these well meaning thoughts. Truly women in Goa can look forward to a Governor who has both his soul and mind on the welfare of the women. The President of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (who has by now become a "regular"at any of the public functions in Panaji - unlike his predecessors) -- was happy that the list of Non government organisations had at last been compiled --- (in fact the excercise was taken up in 2002-2003 but for reasons unknown it so the light of the day this evening ) This could be of help to the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry as they often had to scout for NGOs to assist them in Social responsibilities of the Industry---- There was no sale of copies nor complimentary copies given at the venue.. one organisor this writer spoke to promised to mail the same at a later date. The audience was treated to a special snacks and refreshment apparently courtesy Govt of Goa for their over two hours patient participation amidst sweat and torture in the congested hall. from the Institute Menezes Braganza Hall GODFREY J I GONSALVES Borda Margao Goa [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your life partner online Go to: http://yahoo.shaadi.com/india-matrimony
