Empowering pink power, Indore celebrated International
Women’s Day with different hues of kindness, felicitation, cultural events and
heart-warming gestures on Sunday.
Social media feeds overflowed with lovely posts, but the
celebrations in real-world sparked more with women in the city. Flowers sale
doubled in the city as they were among the most common way to make women feel
special.
A flower vendor Raja Kaushal said, “Some bouquets were
already pre-ordered for the day, but overall, the sale of single flowers and
small bunches doubled.” In some areas of the city, the price of single flowers
was also hiked up by Rs 10 to Rs 15.
“Many women bought flowers from us today, which was
surprising, but definitely a boost in our business,” Lucky Khan, a flower
vendor, said. He added that many restaurant owners and company heads bought
flowers in bulk.
By the women, For the Women
Started with the aim of women empowerment and keeping the
Marathi cuisine alive this unique restaurant is run by 32-year-old entrepreneur
Megha Thite in Indore. What’s unique you might ask… Well, where most restaurants
hire professional chefs, mostly men, but this restaurant is run by a team of 13
women taking charge of the kitchen.
Not just this, the restaurant brings back the traditions of
Marathi culture with hand-made decorations and collages themed on Kuldevta of
Marathas of Indore. “I bought a plain Laxmi idol and painted it myself for the
restaurant,” Megha said.
The restaurant was started in 2017 by the family. “We truly
believe that women are the best cooks in the world and we often get remarked
for being a restaurant with the feel of a temple,” Megha said.
Empowering women, the restaurant is also sponsoring a little
girl working in restaurant named Meera for further education.
Domestic workers rock the stage
Under movement for domestic workers, a cultural event
organised at St Raphael’s Higher Secondary School. Around 250 women participated
in the program and presented their unique talents. Some of the striking
performances were inspired from simple life themed on Bollywood songs.
Program had lively games like rope race and running race. Some
emotional performances quoted issues in our country especially highlighting Nirbhaya
incident.
Director of the movement Sr Rosina Joseph motivated the
group of women. “You are a source of strength and inspiration to live a
contented life. Your willingness to help other women in distress is praise
worthy,” she said.
One of the participants Janki Sawle shared her success story
and motivated the audience. Her story revolved around her struggle in getting
back her lost property from some encroachers.
Female Super Randonneurs
On International Women’s Day, two female Super Randonneur
(SR) and one soon to-be SR were felicitated in a private program. Super
Randonneur Medal and title is awarded to a cyclist for completing a series of
200, 300, 400 and 600 km brevets within the same season. A rider who has
successfully completed a 200 km brevet is called a Randonneur.
The three women were Bharti Barodia, Sapna Khatri and Kavita
Ravat.
Bharti took up cycling in 2014 and became the first SR of MP
in 2018. She is an entrepreneur. General physician Dr Sapna Khatri completed
the challenging 600 BRM last year and became the second SR in state.
Kavita Ravat also from Indore is hoping to earn the title in
2020.
Women can empower, start the change
Grand celebrations of International Women’s Day were
organised at St Theresa Church Khajrana Road Pushpnagar on Sunday. Christian
community members gathered at the church for religious and cultural programme.
The program started with the Prayers & Holy Eucharist.
Further, women took over and presented an array of classical and innovative
performances raising issues women face.
Over 700 women from Indore, Dewas, and Dhar participated in
the event. Chief guest Bishop Chacko of Indore Diocese addressed the women
quoting the importance of feminine power.
Organiser Sr Regina said, “Women can empower each other, and
by recognising what is needed to change the issues of gender bias, we can begin
the change.”
Fr Philip, Fr Ajit
Kumar, Fr Irudayaya Raj, Fr Martin Kujur, Fr Mukesk Machar, and Fr Raju Dodiyar
agreed to the issues and appreciated the performances.
Indore cheers Women, acknowledges pains
Among other celebrations, women were given special discounts
in restaurants up to 10 percent. Information Technology firms organised
picnics, flower day, secret gifts and surprises for women.
Various non-government organisations organised free
check-ups and cultural events in the city. An art exhibition highlighting the
various roles of women was also organised at Canarys art gallery. An artwork
prepared by Safwan Hussain highlight the issue of female foeticide, rejection
of female babies and pain of the mother was also exhibited.
Woman is personified form of God
Every woman is a personified form of God, she should give
birth as a mother, as well as become her first teacher and teach her the best
values, teach qualities by becoming a guru. The woman became an embodiment of
example by adorning herself with inner beauty along with external beauty.
This was said by Brahmakumari Anita in the event ‘Nari ki
Gaurav Gatha’ organised by women division of Bramhakumaris in New Palasiya on
Sunday.
Brahmakumari Hemlata Didi, chief regional coordinator of
Indore Zone, said, “Every form of knowledge known to man is known as woman,
which is what differentiates man from other beings.”
Dancer Dr Ragini Makkar said, “Our country is known as
‘Bharat Mata’ and we have a history of strong women, so it is high time that
their power is recognised and woman is respected in the country.”
Give opportunities, Protect the girl child
Leading the power sector, over 250 women of Poorv Kshetra
Vidyut Vitran Company Ltd marched in Pologround campus and quoted the
importance of saving and protecting the girl child on Sunday.
“Despite all our efforts, there are still many female
babies, who are abandoned and killed just for being a female, we need to work
on changing the mind-set about a girl child,” heading the procession Dr Madhvi
Patel said. She suggested better opportunities for women to counter the mind-set
issue.
“One of the reason why girl child suffers is lack of safety
for them, so we need a nation that protects every girl and fights as one when
it comes to crime against women,” coordinator Dr Savita Inamdaar said.