Date : 22 nd March, 2007, Venue : Mukteshwar Ashram, Guests : Fr. Franklin, Asst. Youth Director, Dr. Padma Radhakrishna, Trustee, Mr. Suresh Mangaonkar, Program Officer (JSS), Mr. Ashoke Shinde, Trainer (JSS) and Fr. George Vattamattam, Director of Karunya Trust.

Area & No. of Participants : 100 women from Phulenagar, Garibnagar and Indranagar and the HIV positive patients of S ward and others.

Objectives of the program : a) Awareness on the health aspects, (b) Interaction with the participants on the different aspects of IGP (c)Distributing of certificates of 2 nd batch IGP training programme.

As we know that, today the world has changed a lot even the women who are illiterate their life is no more limited with the household work. They have now come out from there four walls and supports in the community based awareness activities and also in their house. Its experienced that women always contributes in the developmental works of the society but still they are under looked by the society. Hence Karunya Trust takes this opportunity to celebrate the “International Women’s Day” at Powai with all the Self Help Groups (SHG) members and PLHAs from all over the “S”ward. The main intention was to bring all the women groups in one platform and to visualize the present situation or condition of today’s woman. On this occasion our resource persons stressed more on the input session on total empowerment in their life. Therefore to bring a positive behavioral change in their thinking. The session was divide into two, first session were the women group had a short games and competition and the second, was input session by the resource person. There were some small games they are “gadha ka poch lagana”, “guessing the answer”, “lightning candles by one matchsticks ”. all the SHG members enjoyed each of the games and participated very actively. And at last the winners were honored with small token of love.

Fr. Franklin, Asst. Youth Director inaugurated the programme by lightning the lamp. Other dignitaries like Dr. Padma Radhakrishna, Trustee, Mr. Suresh Mangaonkar, Program Officer (JSS), Mr. Ashoke Shinde, Trainer (JSS) and Fr. George Vattamattam, Director of Karunya Trust was present on this occasion. Dr. Padma Radhakrishna spoke to the women groups on the positive living and how to build the confidence with in us and face all types of hurdles that keeps occurring in our life one by one. In fact she did not focus on any types diseases but she highlighted that there is no sickness other then our mind sickness. After that there was a open house session were SHG members put forwarded many issues and Dr. Padma facilitated them on the spot. Fr. Franklin highlighted on the advantages and disadvantages of Education. He also emphasized on girl child’s education instead of early marriage. After the two input session there was a certificate distribution to all the participants who attended the 2 nd batch Income Generating Training Programme. Mr. Suresh Mangaonkar, Program Officer (JSS), Mr. Ashoke Shinde, Trainer (JSS) facilitated the large group on the pros and cons of marketing and production.

The session was very informative were all the women put forwarded various questions and doubts. Hence Mr. Suresh and Mr. Ashoke assured for all kinds of supports from their part. At last the programme was followed with the refreshments to all the participants.