March 17, 2018 Saturday: Sahodaya Bethany Social Service Trust, Bendoor Mangalore in collaboration with Sahodaya Bethany Mahilaa Okkutta organized International women’s day celebration at St Raymond’s auditorium. The program was presided by Sr.Shanthi Priya the Director of Sahodaya and Secretary of Bethany Social Service Trust. Mr. J. R. Lobo, MLA Mangalore was the honourable Chief Guest. Mrs. Kusuma H. Devadiga Shri Vinayak Garments proprietor inaugurated the function, Mrs. Sabitha Misquith, City Corporator, Mrs. Sujatha Shetty the Head Constable, Mrs. Prema WPC women’s police station Pandeshwar, and Mrs. Flossy Lobo, a woman entrepreneur, were the Chief Guests of the day.
The day’s program commenced with a prayer invocation by the members of SHGs. Sr. Michelle the Program Co-ordinator of Sahodaya Bethany Social Service Trust at the outset gave a brief history of the foundation of Bethany Social Service Trust and Sahodaya as its wing. Its inception emerged from the vision of the Founder Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas the Founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany and the first four pioneers. She then introduced the Guests of the day and accorded a cordial welcome to all the dignitaries on the dais. The program was creatively inaugurated by Mrs Kusuma H. Devadiga by symbolically releasing the hands of a bound woman.
Sahodaya, on this auspicious occasion recognized and honoured the women of valour, and grit who have excelled in life and have been a source of inspiration to other women. The awardees were Mrs. Kusuma H. Devadiga- the Proprietor of Shri Vinayaka Garments, Mrs. Flossy D’souza – the proprietor of Vishwas Home Products and five other women entrepreneurs from 5 Self Help Groups were honored for their self employment.
1. Mrs. Bhagya, Kodikal
2. Mrs. Sujatha, Mulky
3. Mrs. Mohini, Madame
4. Mrs. Benny D’souza, Madame
5. Mrs. Mumtaz, Porkodi.
Mr. J. R. lobo was appreciated for his excellent, and committed developmental and philanthropic works as the MLA of Mangalore South Constituency. There after he addressed the gathering and applauded the women for their commendable contribution to the family and society and he also underscored the importance of the role of a mother in the family and in the making of a good society. Today many women have excelled in various fields and have taken leadership roles in the society particularly the women of Dakshina Kannada District. He called on them to be the role model to other women. Then he appreciated the works of Bethany Sisters and their influential leadership in empowering the women in and through their various ministries. With gratitude he recalled the love, compassion and the motherly care along with the discipline which he received from the Bethany sister teachers during his school days.
Sr. Shanthi Priya the President in her presidential speech applauded the women of valour of yester years and modern day women who have achieved much in all the sectors of the society breaking the barriers of patriarchal mentality. She said that women in our country were different yesterday. They are different today and hopefully they will be different tomorrow. It’s in our hands as women. How long is it going to take for the society to understand what a woman is capable of and what she wants? Is it so difficult to treat the opposite gender equally? Isn’t it the right time that we reinterpret womanhood and give women their due?
In conclusion Ms Nimisha the animator of Sahodaya proposed the vote of thanks.