Why ‘She for She’ can show the way

WOMEN’S DAY March 26th 2019

Zarreen Babu

‘HE for SHE’ is the solidarity movement for gender equality started by the UN. SIBangalore President, Mamatha Ghosh, went beyond the norm to say this can beachieved even better when there is a ‘SHE for SHE‘ movement. It illustrated what Dr.Tejaswani Anantkumar said – though the theme of this Women’s day is ‘Think Equal’,she disagrees with it. Women are not just equal, but are more than equal, becausethey always do more and go the extra mile.

This was visible on 16th March, 2019, in the way SI Bangalore celebrated Women’sDay by introducing special recognition awards for “Women Inspiring Action andTransforming Lives”. That award was presented by showcasing and honouringwomen who have empowered themselves against all odds and educatingthemselves in fields that can sustain them and their families.

Who would have thought that one could sit comfortably in the middle of MG Road, ina quaint hall and experience an evening with several women chit-chatting, as thechief guest put it, about their lives and getting exposed to amazing achievements.The chief guests were Dr. Tejaswani Ananth Kumar, philanthropist and social activistwho runs Adamya Chetana and Guest of Honour Dr. Sanjay Shantaram, renownedclassical dancer.

It was fascinating to hear Dr. Tejaswani speak. She pointed out that this year’stheme on Women’s Day was ‘Think Equal’ but she felt that Indian women have gonebeyond being equal. We are much more she said. She went on to describe how shebegan her quest in 1997 on providing food, education and health, (anna, aksharya,arogya), the three basic necessities, to the marginalised, because she had foundmuch disparity between the rich and the poor. Today, after 16 years, they have thisgreen kitchen where they provide midday meals to 1 lakh 75 children, without usingany fossil-fuel. Her kitchen also has zero garbage. She is totally into environmentalchange, planting trees every Sunday and watering them with the washed rice watergenerated in her kitchen. It was inspiring to see such dedication to a cause that is astep towards improving the environment.

Dr. Sanjay reminded the audience that a year ago, he had conducted a mega fundraiser with SI Bangalore, Matsyakanya. He felicitated Dr. Nalini Subbaiah for this andalso Ms Shobha Nilakantappa, SI Bangalore member. He assured everyone that hewas committed and ready to help the club in every way he could. His story too wasvery inspiring – on how he began to learn dancing at the early age of five and how at15 he was called to be a teacher of dancing, which he took up hesitantly, surprisinghimself.

Since 17 years, he began to support NGO’s in India and abroad. Today, he has a30-year-old dance school and has supported over 70 NGOs. He said he learnt from

his students and saw various issues the girls faced – those who could not afford tolearn at his dance school, some who could afford but had no support and others whocame only due to peer pressure. This made him help them and he then encouragedeveryone to be selfless and reiterated his support to SI Bangalore.Their inspiring speeches were followed by honouring the eight women.

Christina and Pushpa were awarded for their work in 24 slums, holding 64community meetings per year, touching the lives of many, including1,600 children

Shanti Muniswamy, a transgender, artist, poet and writer, who chose to exercise herright to sexual orientation, addressed the people via drama.

Deepa, an entrepreneur, runs a catering service, makes masala powered and freshidli and dosa batter.

Pushpa, self-taught bike rider, went on to drive a van after she lost her husband. Shehad to take care of her two very small children. Now, she drives school children backand forth between home and school.

Yashoda is a cab driver, who takes care of her family single-handedly today.

Divya is aspiring to sit for her civil service exams and is self-funding her education,as a cab driver. It was her belief in herself that has brought her to her comfortablesituation today.