Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Women in Calcutta stand for a cause !

The eyeballs are raised probably when Saif Ali Khan walks with her mother in India International Jewelry Fashion Week in protest of crime against women. However, in another part of the country the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC), Calcutta Chapter organized a monsoon fair in a South Calcutta auditorium saw scanty support from the city dwellers and even from the media.

The AIWC is a seven-decade-old organization dedicated to upliftment and betterment of women and children. The fair had the same purpose that had around 90 stalls of sarees, jewelries, household goods, souvenirs and the likes.  The share of the income will go for the development of the less privileged section of the city dwellers.

The twenty first century has brought lot youngsters who arecareeristand they devote maximum time of their daily life in the work front. “Today’s generation spend long hours at work and thus their contribution to social work has minimized. Also, in our days we had joint-families, so if I went out to teach the underprivileged kids, I would know that some of my household work will be done by my sister-in laws. But now with the uprising of nuclear families, women are burdened with office and household work, so even if they are willing, they find less time to devote for social work,” revealed Sulekha Roy, chairman of AIWC, South Calcutta Chapter.

The participants in the fair was gay and happy, that their contribution is not only bringing them incomes but also bringing them an additional option to contribute to the lesser fortunate ones. “I give my jewelries for Television serials and styling shoots for commercials, but here it is a different experience. The exposure here is modest, but the feeling of contributing for a cause gives a moral booster,” divulged SaswatiMukherji, one of the jewelry designer and owner of Niharika Jewelers.

One of the unique stalls wasa handicraft from Shantiniketan by Nitakshi Bhattacharya who is special and she does not speak but manages well with her hand-movements. For all, there were also an AIWC Canteen, who had sumptuous food and again the income goes for the cause. “However, the cost of production is increasing in recent times and we are growing old. So, we need young enthusiasts who would join hands,” urged Roy.
Posted By RASRAJ