Celebrating Womanhood: Women and Environment Day at Maria Bhavan, Bableshwar

📅 March 10, 2018 • 📍 Bableshwar

Maria Bhavan – Bableshwar organized a Women’s Day celebration on March 10, 2018, providing a dedicated time for busy women to focus on themselves. Approximately $450$ women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) and surrounding areas attended to celebrate womanhood. The theme for the day was "Women and Environment: Maji Maya Thuji Chaya." The inaugural programme began with the lighting of the lamp, welcoming guests: Mr. Pavse (Manager of Central Bank), Mrs. Shinde (Central Bank), Mr. Waghcoure (Panchayat Samiti), Mrs. Prabha Ghogre (Speaker of the Day), Sr. Moksha Antonappa (Director of Sahayini), and Fr. Abraham Rananaware (Parish Priest). In keeping with the theme, each guest received a sapling. Sr. Catherine Pereira’s opening address urged the women to welcome the girl child, highlighting the girl child's crucial role in the family and the country's enrichment. She also exhorted them to be supportive of their daughters-in-law, offering examples of inspirational women like Sindhutai Saphale and Savitribai Phule to show they, too, can effect great change. The women performed dances and a compelling play on environmental stewardship, emphasizing the importance of trees, water, and using cloth bags instead of plastic carriers. Speaker Mrs. Prabha Ghogre stressed the need for mothers to care for their children and the environment, practically advising them to align with nature, which provides everything. She also read a meaningful poem she had written. Children organized stall games for women who arrived promptly. Spot prizes added excitement, and it was a delight to see the women playing and winning small gifts. A shared lunch was relished, followed by a common dance session. Sr. Moksha appreciated and encouraged the women, thanking Sr. Catherine for her work in Bableshwar. Upon departure, each woman received a reusable bag containing a packet of ‘Paushtik Aahar.’ The community, staff, and Sr. Catherine Pereira made the day memorable, filled with joy and a renewed sense of importance for the women.