The Women’s Wing is being formed in all units. They are organising ‘Kudumba Yogams’ in almost all units. They are teaching the women how to become a good kudumbini (house wife) and how to bring prosperity and happiness to each of their families. Such meetings have resulted in emerging good relationship among families. Women now contribute a lot to the grand success of various programmes organised by the Samiti. They are also engaged in various self employment schemes. The Women’s Wing, cultural wing and ‘Balavedi’ are functioning in good co-ordination to create a Sree Narayana culture in the organisation.
Although SNMS was formed in the year 1963 (17.11.1963), it took 3-4 decades to have a Womens’ wing in its activities. In the year 1998, Womens’ wing was formed with a Chairperson and Member Secretary to spread the teaching of Guru among the masses.The vision of Womens’ Wing is :To bring more and more women to the mainstream; To boost the skills & creativity of women & children alike; To propagate the messages of Guru, especially to inculcate it in the young minds and to envisage a society based on Guru’s teaching & principles.
The first women's conference was organised by the Women's Wing at Chembur Complex in July 2004 (25.07.2004). About 1000 women delegates participated. Another major women's conference was organized in December 2012 (9.12.2012). The theme of the Conference was “Financial Independence of Women”. About 1000 women dlegates participated in this copnference also. There were presentations by Guest speakers and participants on various subjects related to women. Shri.K.S.Money, I.A.S(retired), former Secretary General, National Human Rights Commission was the Chief Guest, Dr.Sugeetha Ajith, Research Officer, State Institute of Language, Kerala and an associate of Narayana Gurukulam, VarkalaWomens wing in association with various educational institutions of the samiti had organized an awareness Programme on recent atrocities on women such as rape at Lokhande Marg,Chembur. On Women’s Day 8.3.2013 Women’s Wing of Nerul Unit organized a Medical Seminar on woman’s health by Dr.K.S.Bindu, leading Gynecologist.
WOMENS’ WING – its activities, achievements, prospects
The vision of Womens’ Wing is
To execute these goals, Womens’ wing holds monthly “Kudumba Yogam” which functions as a platform for free exchange of ideas and views among the members of all the families that gather. It strives to inculcate Guru’s principles in every one so that we can achieve an “ideal family”. The monthly “Prayer Meeting” (Kudumba Yogam) focuses on familiarizing women with Guru’s preaching by recitation of shlokas, bhajans and also inviting eminent speakers to discourse about Guru. Thus, when women attain an insight into Guru’s teachings, they will in turn pass on their knowledge to each of their family members. This will further serve to promote Guru’s sermons to wider horizons.
In the initial years Womens wing was passive and dormant in units, however in the year 2000 Womens’ wing leapt to higher grounds and gained significant importance. With Womens wing being formed in all the Guru Centres and Units, more and more women came forward to the main stream of Samiti’s platform and participated in all the activities like Womens’ Conference, Satsang, Kudumba yogam, cultural activities etc.
At the centre, the Womens’ wing is headed by a Chairperson, Member Secretary, 5 Zonal Secretaries and a co-ordinating Office bearer of the Samiti. At Unit level, the Womens’ wing was headed by a President, Secretary & Treasurer with a committee of members to spread the activities among the members.
Below are the Key events in the timeline of Womens wing-
In the “ All Religious Meet For Communal Harmony” organized by the Samiti at International Centre For Sree Narayana Guru Studies at Nerul on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2nd, 2002, we were complimented for the commendable work on proficient handling of the reception and receiving of each of the Guests.
At the Anniversary Meet held on 16th February 2003, at Chembur Complex, self-employment scheme for women started by Thane Guru Centre was officially inaugurated. Later on, self-employment schemes were started at Vashi, Airoli, Nerul & Vasai Guru centers’.
On the occasion of the centenary of First Womens Conference held at Kerala in 1904, as per the instructions of Guru and also as part of the 150th birth anniversary of Guru, a Vanitha Sammelanam 2004 (Womens’ Meet) was organized at Chembur Complex. This event was a first in the history of Samiti. Eminent personalities from different walks of life, such as, Dr.(Mrs) Geetha Suraj, Ms.Aswathi Dorge, I.P.S., Ms.Thanksy Thekkekara, I.A.S. and Prof. Chandramathi graced the occasion.
In February, 2005, Bhandari Association of Dadar organized “Vanita Sammelan”. Bhandari Association organized the function in which they invited representatives of various women’s organizations from all the States working for the betterment of the community. This was meant to serve as a platform to discuss various issues relating to women empowerment, social issues, employment opportunities for women. These issue were discussed at Micro as well as Macro level. Womens Wing represented Samiti and presented Guru’s philosophy, activities of Samiti, activities of women’s wing, its objectivities and accomplishments. This was a wonderful and a welcome experience that has benefited us in forging a unique bond with the Bhandari Association and familiarizing them what Guru has done to change Kerala’s cast ridden Society.
A medical Seminar was organized on 4th June, 2006. Dr.Varsha Parekh, M.D., Gyno & Obsterician, Dr.K.Sasidharan, M.D. Medical Supdt. KAPL Alway (Ayur), Dr. Prakash Jose & Dr.N.Sasidharan (Homeo), Dr.P.T.R.V. Nair, Cardiologist, Tata Memorial Hospital conducted the medical seminar.
On the occasion of “International Womens’ Day” on 6th March 2011, a seminar on “Womens’ Role in successful family life” was organized. Dr.Sobha Nair, an eminent Psychologist conducted the seminar. On this occasion, the services of past office bearers of Womens wing were acknowledged and appreciated.
During March 2012, “Bachat Gatt” was started at Vashi, Nerul, Airoli & Kurar (Malad) Guru centres.
On 9th December 2012, Women’s Conference was organized. Eminent personalities, such as, Mr.K.S.Money, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary General, National Human Rights Commission, Dr.T.V.Sekhar, Prof. International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, Dr.Sugeetha Ajith, Narayana Gurukulam, Varkala, graced the occasion. The theme of the event was financial independence of women.
We along with the students of Sree Narayana Guru College organized a silent protest on 24th December 2012 at Lokande Marg to offer solidarity and support to “Nirbhaya”, who was brutally raped and murdered in New Delhi. This was to create awareness among the people against atrocities on women and children happening in various parts of the country.
On the occasion of International Womens’ Day on 6th March 2013, Womens wing of Nerul Unit conducted a Medical seminar. Eminent personalities in the field of Medicine conducted the seminar.
On 1st September, 2013, as a part of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Samiti, the Womens’ wing in association with Youth Wing conducted one day seminar on “Compassion in Guru’s Philosophy and its Contemporary Relevance”.
A three day programme was conducted on 11th, 12th & 13th October, 2013 at Gurudevagiri, Nerul, Vasai, Chembur & Kalyan respectively and Dr.(Mrs.) Geeta Suraj conducted the classes & Mrs.Beena Ajaykumar done the alaapanam of Guru’s Kritikal.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8th March, 2014, Womens wing of Nerual Unit conducted a programme “Best Parenting” by eminent clinical Psychologist Shri Sabu Joseph. This programme was well attended by all Members from Zone V.
Womens Wing has now become an integral part of Samiti’s activities ensuring each event a success with active participation.
Womens wing will now be exploring new activities and engagements like
Awareness Campaign of Social Issues and Issues related to Women and Society at large
Employment schemes for women to drive secondary income source for women like starting of baby- sitting, Play Schools & summer camp for small children etc.
Organizing Food Mela in the upcoming Samiti Events
Womens Wing hopes to add more key events that have a social and cultural impact.