Annual Report 2012 – 2013
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012 – 2013 Contents From the Chairperson's Desk 1 Obituary 2 • Justice Verma • Vina Mazumdar Policy Advocacy work 3 • Group Marriage Ceremony 5th April, 8th July & 28th November, 2012 3 • Legal Literacy Programme supported by Justice Sunanda Bhandare Fundation, Ma-Dham, Vrindavan 4 • Legal Literacy Programme at Madre Meherbann Trust, Gulab Bagh, Srinagar 5 • Interfaith Peace Prayer for Nirbhaya 6 • One Billion Rising at Ma-Dham, Vrindavan 6 • International Women's Day, Inter-Faith Prayer 7 • Holi Milaan, Ma-Dham, Vrindavan 8 • National Integration Peace Cricket Match Cup Series - III 8 • National Consultation on widows:- Denial, Deprivation of rights from Private to Public and Policy Realm 10 • Regional Conference:- Widows Policy, Gaps and Inclusion 10 Training Programmes 12 • Awareness Generation Meeting at Ma-Dham, Vrindavan 12 • Awareness Workshop on issues, policy services and deliverables for widows, Lucknow 13 Recognitions &Awards 14 • Degree of Doctor of Laws • Women of Substance Award Seminars & Meetings 14 • Faiz come alive in Srinagar 14 • Dr. Syeda Hameed's book release, “Beautiful Country – Stories from Another India” 15 • Indonesian Delegation Meet 15 • Foundation for Sustainable Peace in Asia's Century 15 • Akhil Bhartiya Goswami Mahasabha 16 • UNFPA, India's Advisory Committee Meeting 16 • Book Launch, Lucknow 16 • Meeting with Chief Minister 17 • NKU Student Visit to India 18 • Farm Widows Conclave at Nagpur 18 International Seminars and Meetings 19 • Islamabad Declaration on the needs, role and rights of widows:- SANWED consultative workshop in Islamabad, Pakistan 19 • The Vital Role of Women in Peace-Building at Kathmandu, Nepal 20 • Asia-Pacific, Intergovernmental Meeting on the second review and appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, Bangkok 20 • Report on Visit to USA 21 • International Conference on Enriching the Journey towards empowerment of widows, Kathmandu, Nepal 22 • 57th Session of CSW, New York 23 Guild Projects 24 • Amar Bari, Ma-Dham, Vrindavan 24 • Raahat Ghar, Kashmir Intervention 27 • Gender Resource Center and Mahila Panchayat, Najafgarh 28 • Family Counseling Center, New Delhi, Mathura & Sawai Madhopur 29 • Shubham: Working Women Hostel 31 Capacity Building of Marginalized Children 31 • Report- Nursing Aid Training Programme, Ma-Dham & Najafgarh 31 • Report- Sannidhi Vocational Training Institute, Ma-Dham, Vrindavan 32 • Report-Skill development, Najafgarh 34 • Foundation for Academic Excellence and Access 35 Trustees Meetings 35 Media Publications 36 Messages from Well Wishers 36 Interns 2012-2013 37 Donors 2012-2013 37 ANNUAL REPORT 2012 – 2013 From The Chairperson's Desk Aanjani, Human Rights Defender from Vrindavan said, “ , !” Seema Pandey, Nagafgarh said“ 25,000 , , . There was a Muslim widow re-marriage held last year where the bride said “today you have not only got me re-married but also given a life to my children. Nighat from Raahat Ghar, Kashmir, extended her heartfelt thanks to Guild and to the generous and kind support of Ms Shahnaz Hussain for giving her training in beauty culture that has made her self-reliant and restored her lost dignity and pride. I am delighted to inform you that 400 women who were rehabilitated at the time of Godhra riots are now living their lives happily and have established families of their own. This was Guild's Year of 2012-13!!!! Full of challenges, hard work, smiles, achievements, action formulation and its implementation. Greetings to all my readers! All these changes have brought about enthusiasm, commitment and zest to work further. We have climbed perhaps the last step of ladder and celebrate our 42 years of existence. Today, our energies are focused on the ugly head of the demon of violence against women. As women are getting more empowered, our men seem to be getting more frustrated. Let us devote the coming years to changing the mindset of man and spread love. The success of Guild lies in the incredible leadership and commitment of its core team who have contributed their insightful inputs and selfless dedication towards making Guild reach the highest pinnacle of change agent in the society. The various programmes undertaken by Guild- Nurses Training, Computer Training, cutting and tailoring, formal/informal education, awareness campaigns etc have been carried out successfully and many beneficiaries have been trained to become economically independent. Today our biggest challenge is the exploding elderly population. The next few years we have to devote our energies to see that we make evenings of their lives productive, interesting and joyful. Seeds sown 42 years ago are bearing fruits and each fruit gives us immense satisfaction and happiness. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who have been associated with Guild in its endeavor to bring about social change thereby enhancing the status of the most marginalized section of our society. I also thank our staff, volunteers and members of the Guild for their tireless committed hard work in maintaining the steady pace. Dr. V. Mohini Giri 1 ANNUAL REPORT 2012 – 2013 Obituary Justice Jagdish Sharan Verma Justice Verma passed away on April 22nd, 2013. He was 80 years and active in his numerous roles even till his last moment. He left behind legacy of tougher rape law, through the Justice Verma Committee. The Guild was fortunate in having his support and advice since the past four decades. He held several positions but was always very humble and of charming disposition. Our mentor, guide has left a great void in our lives. Justice Verma will always be remembered for his firm commitment to Women's empowerment, judicial accountability, probity in public life and social justice. Vina Mazumdar Born on 28th March, 1927, was an Indian academic, feminist, a pioneer in women's studies in India and a leading figure of the women's movement in post-independence India. She was amongst the first women academics to combine activism with scholarly research in women's studies. She was secretary of the first Committee on the Status of Women in India that brought out the first report on the condition of women in the country. Dr. Giri says “My personal tributes to her for having been my mentor”. Late Ms. Vina Mazumdar left for endless journey on 30th May, 2013. May god give peace to her holy soul. 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2012 – 2013 Policy and Advocacy Work Group Marriage Ceremonies 5th April, 2012, 8th July, 2012 & 28th November, 2012 home of their own and many other gifts. On 28th November, 2012 the Group Marriage Ceremony of 51 couples was organized with the kind support of Abha and M.H. Dalmia, on the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. There were several widow remarriages, couples from different castes and also those whose families are not supporting were among the 51 couples married on the day of the celebration. The Guild started the initiative of Group Marriages four decades back and so far about 13,000 couples have been married. Through this initiative the Guild aims to support those girls and boys from different religious and cultural backgrounds who are undergoing economic hardships to get married. The The occasion was graced by the presence of Dr. Kiran couples are provided with a set of clothes as well as Walia (Minister of education, Social Welfare, Women some basic necessities like utensils to set up a home & Child Development and Languages), Ms. Shahnaz at the initial stage. They are provided Hussain (CMD, Shahnaz Husain Group of Companies) Counseling/guidance for their future by and Smt. Mamta Sharma (Chairperson, National encouraging dowry-less marriage, family planning, Commission for Women). non-consumption of alcohol and no domestic violence. Other Eminent Guests at the event were Ms. Anne Stenhammer (of UN Women), Ms. Aruna Dalmia This year Guild for Service had organized the Group (President, Akshay Pratisthan), Ms. Indrani Marriage ceremony thrice in a year.First Group th Mazumbar (Secretary- Mr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Marriage was held on 5 April 2012, where twenty Chairperson of Sulabh International) Ms. Hemlata couples got tied in a holy matrimony at the Guild for Kheria and Ms. Shamina Shafiq (members, NCW) and Service, Qutub Institutional Area. The Guild was full Mr. Sohan Kumar Jha (Executive Director, Central of colors with brides and grooms and other guests Social Welfare Board) were also present. who had turned up in their fineries. This year, out of The ceremony began with a small pooja, performed twenty couples - 16 were Hindus, 4 were Muslims, 1 for the good health and prosperity of Abha & M.H. differently able, 2 widowers, 1 widow and 1 Dalmia, followed by the marriage rituals. divorcee. The highlight of the ceremony was cellphone gifted to each couple. On 8th July, 2012 it was Mr. and Mrs. N. P. Bhargava's 55th Wedding Anniversary; they decided to support Guild for Service in the Mass Group Marriage of 56 couples on the occasion. Three widows remarried, five Muslim couples, two divorcees and one handicap man got married among the 56 couples marrying on the day of the celebration. A small pooja was performed for the long lasting married life of Mr. and Mrs. Bhargava followed by performing the rituals for Mass Marriage All the couples were handed over their marriage certificates. Mr. and Mrs. Bhargava and their family provided the couples with necessities to start a 3 ANNUAL REPORT 2012 – 2013 Trust). An imperative round of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Bhragava and their family for supporting Guild for Service, Mrs. Neena Jain and Inner Wheel Members of Delhi Midtown and Mr. Atul Dua and members of Rotary Club of Delhi Midtown for associating with Guild for Service. Our sincere appreciation to Ms. R'anne Dolly Chhabra and Rtn. Gursharan S. Chhabra Chairman Managing Director of The Executive Club for providing Club's “Darbar Executive” banquet hall for the mass marriage.