JOURNEY OF WOMEN: FROM DOORMAT TO DYNAMIC...
Walking miles into the field of journalism and as a columnist with the Free Press Journal, GITA HARI , a proud recipient of Versatile Writer Award, speaks about fellow women achievers.
Women, especially in our country, have come a long way from being docile, baby producing machines and trampled upon door mats to a millennium generation which knows what it wants, with a freedom to explore and follow their hearts. Education, awareness and support from parents have largely contributed to the confident, dynamic and self-sufficient woman of today.
8th March is commemorated world over as Women’s Day and this day witnesses women of substance being felicitated by several organizations in recognition of their inspirational values and contributions to society. NGO Young Environmentalists Programme is one such organization which has been, for the past ten years, consistently recognising the worth of women from different walks of life and suitably honouring them.
Says award winning author, environment educator and founder of the NGO, Young Environmentalists Programme trust, Elsie Gabriel, "International Women’s Day is an important time to recognize both the achievements of women and the leadership that women provide. By recognizing the outstanding achievements of women we, the Young Environmentalists Programme trust, Mumbai, not only provide role models but also encourage the community to nominate women for honours. This is our tenth year we are helping gather women to support each other's work and lives.”
Young Environmentalists Programme is a registered trust working together with society in areas of conservation, education, art and environment. The trust aims to connect, inspire and empower young change makers to join forces for a thriving, just and sustainable way of life for all. Recently Gabriel has been certified by former Vice President of USA Al Gore as a Climate Change educator and Climate Mentor, where she researches and makes presentations on Climate Change. Elsie managed to get many hard working ‘no nonsense women’ coming together on one platform to celebrate womanhood.
Actresses who supported the Women's Day programme held by the NGO and spread the message of Planet Earth are Raveena Tandon, Hrishitta Bhatt, Kamal Sidhu, Bhavya Gowda, Singer Shibani Kashyap, fashion choreographer Achla Sachdev, Celebrity Chef Amrita Raichand, Madhurima Nigam and Jessi Randhawa who were also awarded at the event.
"For our Innocent Heroes, just being underprivileged and talented is not enough to be eligible for our mentoring and career opportunities but display of discipline is. The first important lesson we teach is how to have the right attitude, approach and respect towards learning. They learn under a strict environment where many miss the opportunity due to their pre-conditioning to seek pity and sympathy, lack of wanting to change attitude and many go beyond leaps towards the ladder of becoming a HERO...!! The only difference is attitude!,” Opines awardee Sheetal Meher, Founder & Director of Innocent Heroes, a Non-Profit Organisation.
Some of the awardees are dynamic women of substance who have risen from the ashes. For instance, Gauri Ramesh, Founder and Director of Little Hearts Learning Centre (Drishti Foundation, an NGO, caters to the educational opportunities of children with multiple disability) is a cancer survivor and has an autistic son. Having battled innumerable demons and having stood her ground with optimism and an indomitable spirit, she recounts, “I did B.Ed in Special Education and worked towards women empowerment for economic independence and betterment of the underprivileged. Receiving recognition for my work through this Award acts as an added impetus to me.”
Talking about recognition for her achievement in performing arts, Jesse Randhwa avers, “The biggest achievement is when things are not done for the achievement but for the pleasure of the journey.”
Young Environmentalists honours women, congregates them from all over the world to share stories his they have worked by the sweat of their brow, overcome poverty and challenges to arise out of the dust of the earth to emerge as achievers, together with many known celebrities who have dedicated their status and name to social responsibility which has made proactive community changes, and are the ‘change’ that people want to see in this world.
Reinstates Elsie Gabriel, “We have recognised women from backyards and small villages who gave up lethargy to be the change. Juggling with housework, husbands, children and social calling, they stand out as enigmatic leaders.” Punish Sharma, AGM of Rodas Ecotel – the 26 times over award winning green hotel – acclaims, “We are motivated to partner with women with dignity and leadership who show others the way!” Happy Women's day to all!