lauding the changes brought by Vikas Bharti in socio-economic areas, Governor Draupadi Murmu asked the organisation to create more and more opportunities of employment for women so that the society could witness positive changes. Murmu was addressing a gathering of over 5,000 women of 500 Self Help Groups (SHGs) during ‘Shakti Samagam’ programme organized by Vikas Bharti at Bishunpur in Gumla.
“I am happy that Padma Shri Ashok Bhagat has been showing the light of philanthropy and also inspiring others to do so. I would like to congratulate him for doing a fabulous work in the field of farming, education, health, water management, environment and sanitation,” said the Governor.
Vikas Bharti has been providing vocational as well as job oriented courses to the students connecting them directly to the employment, said the Governor. “In addition to that, the organization has also been doing a wonderful job in the field of women empowerment,” she added.
Referring to the need of women empowerment in the society, Murmu said economic development has never been possible without women empowerment in any of the Countries in the World as one cannot even think of social, economic or political development without connecting the women to the mainstream.
“I am not saying it as I am a woman, but it is a fact that several women across the Country have been working shoulder to shoulder with the men in various fields. Even in the rural areas, women are moving towards self-dependency and have also started providing leadership in villages at the Panchayat level,” said the Governor.
The Governor further said added that the change was definitely a symbol of consciousness but even after a long journey most of the women in the rural areas, are still struggling for their rights. “They will have to be aware of their rights and duties as they still lagging behind in self-employment,” she said.
Certificates to the women who have done commendable jobs in various fields were also distributed among the self help group members during the programme.
Earlier the first citizen of the state also visited schools and agri-farms being run by Vikas Bharti in Bishunpur area and asked the well-being of the students who were studying in those schools. The Governor also planted a tree at Gandhmadan agri-farm located at Balatu village of Bishunpur.
The women of the self help groups, present in the farm explained how Vikas Bharti changed their life by forming self help groups among them which also provides all kind of support including distribution of seeds and plants in order to improve their lives. They also shouted the slogan ‘Nari Shakti Jindabad.’
“I am happy that I joined Vikas Bharti,” said a member of Mahila Sarmna Samiti self help group Sumitra Oraon. She also explained how she reached to reaches from rags with the help of Vikas Bhartia who is now a proud owner of 35 mango trees, 8 lichi trees and one lemon plant.
later Murmu also visited Shaktiman Ashram for differently abled children and had a brief chit-chat with inmates. The children also sang a song before the Governor.
The Governor who reached Bishunpur by helicopter and returned through road after waiting there for it over one and a half hour as there was no helicopter available to bring her back to Ranchi.