BALASORE DISTRICT NARI SANGHA
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If I am to write the history of the progress of women of the undivided. Balasore during the last fifty years, I have to highlight on the social, familial and health-related problems of both urban and rural women. Since 1959 the association has been serving the distressed, ignorant, uneducated and superstition-ridden women of the region. Since my student days, I have been drawn to social service and being a medical practitioner I have been well acquainted with the health and social situation of the women at large. For fifty years I have been a witness to the progressive development of thousands of women hailing from the districts of Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Midnapore. Nari Sangha has not only served the women but also has been successful in uniting them.
In 1955, Mrs. Sushila Mathur wife of the then collector formed an organisation for the upliftment of women. For this cause, the collector was pleased to lease out one acre and three decimals of land. In the early days Mrs. Mathur got the co-operation of the. then District Judge of Balasore, Mahavidya Das (Bahidar), herself, a glorious product of Balasore. She became the first secretary of the organisation and later on Ms. Sindhumati Devi took over from Mrs. Mahavidya Devi. As the organisation did not have its own office, it used to operate from the old Ojha Hall (the present station club). It contributed Rs 3,000/- to the District Red Cross for the construction of a blood bank. Besides, it continued its effort of distributing food and clothes among the distressed women and children and also opening a children’s park at Balasore. Very soon the organisation carved out a name for itself so much so that the first lady of the State, wife of the then Governor Hon’ble Vimsen Sachar came on a visit to this institution. After Mrs. Mathur left Balasore consequent upon her husband’s transfer, the post of Chairperson remained vacant. Soon Mrs. Mahavidya Das and Sindhymati Devi also left as a result of which the management of the association was taken over by Mrs. Frieda Topno, the then social welfare officer, Balasore. Needless to say that Mrs. Topno was elected to
the Loksabha some years agoIn 1960, being invited
. , I had the good fortune of attending the monthly meeting of the association along with late Sarojini Panigrahi. The meeting was attended among others by Mrs. Uma Das wife of the then collector Sri Banchhanidhi Das. In that meeting she was chosen as the Chairperson of the Organisation. To my surprise, Sarojini Panigrahi proposed my name as secretary and all the members present there supported her. Since that day, I have had the privilege of leading this organisation with the ultimate of aim of women’s progress and liberation in the society. Formed in 1955, Balasore District ‘Narisangha’ has been felicitating the visiting Governor, Central and State Ministers and other dignitaries.
Prominent among those who helped us in this process are Mrs. Bibha Sarkar, a graduate from Bethuen College, Calcu Mrs. Renu Ghosh, wife of the great advocate Sudhanshu Mohan Ghosh, Mrs. Asha Biswas wife of the extremely popular doctor Anil Biswas and Mrs. Nargis Bodhanwalla wife of the proprietor of The Barjorji Petrol Pump. They also helped in maintaining discipline and manners among the girl students of Mission Girls’ High School. Bibha Sarkar and Nargis Bodhanwalla were conspicuos in their untiring zeal of looking after the fitness of the women athletes during the District Athletic Meets.
After I became secretary, I involved all those senior ladies of the town in the affairs of the association. In order to make the organisation broad based, I enrolled the following as membersfreedom fighters Jahnabi Devi and Godabari Devi, the veteran lady communist leader from Nilgiri Jaminibala Das and Mrs. Sarojini Das. In those days the BDOs were forming ‘Mahila Samiti’ throughout the districts. The American Government at that time under a scheme used to send wheat-meal, oil and milk powder for distribution among the pregnant women and children. The Mahila Samitis were given a durrie, a pertromax and some utensils each. They used to carry these goods from the block office to their respective samitis and served them among the concerned
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people as khichidi. Unfortunately, there was no provision for payment against transportation of goods and payment towards fuel. As a results, the Mahila Samitis and the Primary School used to sell a portion of the goods meant for consumption by women and children to realize the cost of purchasing fuel and transportation. That indirectly made the Primary school teachers corrupt. Besides, if the husbands of the members of the Mahila Samities are of different political parties, there used to be continuous bickernings. Keeping these sorry state of affairs of the Mahila Samiti, a women’s conference was organised in Balasore in 1960. It was held in Fakir Mohan College Hall. Around three thousand delegates attended the meeting.. As it was summer vacation, the delegates were housed in North Hostel of F. M. College. As the Chairperson of the organisaiton was Mrs. Collector, the wives of all the important districts officials joined the organisation and became members spontaneously.
It was a glorious spectacle to witness. With sun’s first ray of light striking the earth, the F.M. College ground was surcharged with a festive atmosphere. The National Flag was hoisted by the Chairperson with the beating of the police band and chanting of ‘hulahuli’ by the women. The evening session was presided over by the veteran freedom fighter and powerful orator Mrs. Sharala Devi. While the West Bengal M.P. Mrs. Ilapal Choudhury graced the function as Chief Guest, the important guests of honour were Mrs. K. B.S. Haldane wife of the great bioscientist Dr. J.B.S. Haldane then living in Bhubaneswar, Hon’ble Minister from West Bengal Mrs. Purabi Mukherjee, Mrs. Maya Banerjee, the great educationist Nirmal Nayak, student leader Mrs. Nandini Sathpathy who later become the Chief Minister of Orissa and the great social worker from Puri Dr. Belarani Dutta. In that meeting the institution was named District ‘Nari Sangha’. From then on, the organisatioin became the rallying point for the aspirations and onward march of the women of Balasore. Every year through annual conventions, an awareness in the arena of education and health was created in the minds of the
urban. The annual convention of 1961 was graceed among others by Mrs. Nirmala Raj Bhonsle, secretary, All India Women’s Conference, Dr. Fulrenu Guha, Hon’ble member of Parliament and Mrs. Sharala Devi. In this convention this district organisation was resolved to be tied up with All India Women’s Conference. It became a wing of this prestigious national institution.
women, both rural and
Annual Conference of 1962 could see the arrival of Mrs. Tarakeswani Sinha, Union Minister of Finance to grace the occasion as Chief Guest. The Guests of Honour were Pabitramohan Pradhan, Minister of Education, Govt. of Orissa and Sakla Khatun, Hon’ble Minister from West Bengal. This year a women writers’ conference was held in Balasore for the first time. It was possible largely due to the untiring efforts of Mrs. Binapani Mohanty, winner of Sahitya Akademi Award, Mrs. Belarani Chand, lecturer in Oriya, Kuntala Kumari Women’s College. Balasore and Mrs. Sharala Devi. The conference was attended by women writers from West Bengal like Mrs. Radharani Devi, Mrs. Bani Ray. The efforts put in by Mrs. Nalini Devi Routray, wife of Ex-Chief Minister Nilamani Routray is worth remembering. On this occasion an Oriya couple from Birla Art Academy, Pilani Mr. Gourang Som and Bina Som displayed an art exhibition.
In 1962 Govt. of India started a plan called Project Implementing Committee (PIC) in all districts. Its aim was to activate the Manila Samities of the district and recommend further steps to be taken by the district administration in order to make these samitis vibrant in areas like health and education of women and children. Accordingly, while Mrs. Uma Das, wife of the then Collector became the Chairperson of the PIC, I became its vice-president. An office for the purpose was opened in the official residence of the Collector, Balasore with Abinash Sen being the sole office assistant. A jeep was provided to undertake the tour of the whole district of Balasore. Accordingly we visited all the Mahila Samitis of each block of the district and arranging small meetings we interacted with them and knew their problems. By making the defunct Samitis active, we made arrangement for their training at district level in areas like women education, health, cottage industries and midwifery. Various valuable suggestions were given to the district administration regarding the upliftment of women from Bhogaral to Chandabali. This effort of ours created an atmosphere of awareness in the minds of women of the district.
Gradually women of the day became conscious of their problems and this became evident in 1963 annual convention when women of the district became very vocal about their regional
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problems. This convention we attended by luminaries like Nityananda Kanungo, the then Union Minister, Sumitra Devi, hon’ble minister from Bihar; Nandini Satpathy, then an MP, union ministers like Susila Nayar, Laxmi Menon and Mrs Laxmi Raghuramaya, chairperson All India Women’s Conference and various other ministers of Orissa
In 1964, Govt. of India adopted family planning programme in principle. Before that Bombay-based Family Planning Association run by Mrs. Wadia undertook some Family Planning Projects throughout India. In 1964, Govt. of Orissa too appointed one Family Planning trainer for each of the 13 districts of Orissa. The Balasore district administration chose me for the same and this was the beginning of the germination of Family Planning awareness programme amongst the people of the district. ”
From Bhogarai to Chandabali, a three day family planning camp was organised in each block comprising 60 women in the age group from 15 to 35. Government used to sanction Rs 600/- for the purpose. In Balasore these camps were mostly organised in the municipality premises. After three days’ stay and with vegorous awareness lectures by doctors regarding the process of conception, monthly periods, functioning of the uterus etc. gradually rural illiterate and conservative women started realizing the importance of family planning. They also came to know that children were not just the gifts of God; their birth could be manipulated. After 30 such camps were organised throughout the district, a stocktaking was made and generally it was thought to be a success. I was, in fact, happy to realize its success even after twenty years when women who were previously opposed to family planning now advocated in favour of abortion.
In 1966, a glorious chapter was unfolded in the history of the Balasore district Narisangha. This is the year when the 35th Annual Conference of the All India Women’s Conference was held here in Balasore under the auspices of this organisation. This showed women in Orissa in new light and both at state and national level women of Orissa could hold their head high. The Chairperson of the reception committee of this prestigious convention was Mrs. Nandini Satpathy, hon’ble Union Minister, Information and Broadcasting. Held in Balasore Zilla School, this conference was probably the biggest ever women’s event after Independence. To mark the occasion, a handicraft exhibition was opened by Mrs. Kamala Devi Chattopadhya, Govt. of India’s agent for handicrafts. While Mrs. Jhabala, Chairperson of the All India Women’s Conference presided over the conference, the other guests of honour were Renuka Chakrabarty, Laxmi Menon and Laxmi Raghu Ramaya. Around five hundred delegates from different corners of India attended the conference. The open session was attended by thousands of women coming from both urban and rural areas. Their spontaneity of participation could be evident from the fact that they all came with their ration, broke into small groups and cooked their own meals. The conference became a sort of week long festival for he people of Balasore
To the annual meet of 1967, a host of central and state ministers were invited. Prominent among them who attended the meet were Smt. Nandini Satpathy, Nityananda Mohapatra, Minister of Culture, Mrs. Tarabai and Sarojini Udarpanna, Chairperson of the All India Women’s Conference. Rama Devi and Annapurna Maharana also adorned the gathering.
The year 1975 was a black year for the District Narisangha. The same year Mrs. Indira Gandhi promulgated emergency all over India resulting in autocratic behaviour of the district officials. All sorts of black laws were taken recourse to. At that time the Superintendent of Police of Balasore was an autocratic officer. Trigger-happy that he was, he unnecessarily poked his nose in everything. The sister of an I.A.S. Officer eloped with a young man. In order to please the I.A.S. fraternity, Mr. Nandy, the S.P. called some minor girls to the police station and interrogated them about the lovers’ whereabouts. The girls were mercilessly beaten and one girl started bleeding as she was hit in the lower abdomen by the police baton. Phone calls to police top brass in Bhubaneswar and even to Chief Minister Nandini Satpathy against dententions of girls in the police lockup for nights were of no avail. The mother of a 15 year old girl Anjali (who is our present Asst: Secretary) complained to the ‘Nari Sangha’. We took cognizance of the matter and for redressal of her grievances we organised a clandestine meeting with Rabindra Maohan Das, Samarendra Kundu, Brajanath Ratha and other luminaries of the town. As decided we left for Bhubaneswar with Godavari Devi and met Chandrika Mohapatra (sister of Nandini Satpathy) and
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innocent,minor girls. We also
the then MLA Sourindri Devi to stem this oppression against these met Radhanath Rath, editor of the Samaj, Balakrushna Kar, editor of the Matrubhumi and got this news of police atrocity published in various news papers. Mr. Shyamsundar Mohapatra, M.P. also raised the issue in Parliament. Ironically our cry for justice to these minor girls resulted in the seizure of all our documents. Later, on the Panda Commission headed by justice Kunjabihari Panda also tried this case. Different women’s fronts throughout the district protested against this , organised through small meetings at their own level.
police atrocityIn 1977, all the 123 wings of the organisation started functioning actively. The wings that were not distributing wheat powder were given training in tailoring and handicrafts. The Annual Conference of the year was graced by luminaries likes Rama Devi, Annapurna Maharana, Dr. Radhanath Rath the then State Minister of Rural Development Dr. Jhasaketan Sahu. In 1979 a big exhibition for children was held with assistance from the ambassador of Rumania and Poland. A fair for children was also organised in which around one thousand children from various primary schools participated. A competition in sports and debate was organised among the students and winners were given certificates and prizes. The gathering was addressed by the ambassadors of Poland and Rumania, the Governor of Orissa, the minister of culture Mr. and Mr., Ramakrushna Pati, Vice-Chairman, State Planning Commission.
Harichandan In 1983 ‘Nari Sangha’ organised a mobile exhibition highlighting the oppression against women. A big meeting was also held to focus attention on providing legal aids to the oppressed by the chairman of the legal aid cell. To mark the occasion of the birth of Sarojini Naidu on February 13, 1983, a huge procession was organised in which hundreds of women and girl students took part. The procession was primarily held to protest against the spiralling price rise and the picture of women in advertisement treating them as consumer goods. The annual conference of the year was held from December -25 to 27 and was observed in a grand manner. The conference was inaugurated by the then Governor of Orissa Biswamber Nath Pande. Other guests of the occasion were Dr. Radhanath Rath, editor of ‘The Samaj’ and Mrs. Manorama Mohapatra. Mrs. Shanta Pande, wife of the Hon’ble Governor addressed the working delegates.
From 1985 to 1987, a lot of awareness camps were organised at village level to eradicate illiteracy in women. In December 1985, it was decided to set up a physical education centre to train women in self defence. As the chairperson of the ‘Sangha’, Mrs. Sailarani Samant fell sick, Dr. Radha Devi assumed the charge. A committee was formed to visit various parts of Balasore to personally witness the plight of the women. The members of this committee were Abala Bhanja, Sarojini Das, Mukti Parida and Sumitra Singh. On 19 November a peace rally was taken out to appeal for world peace and destruction of atomic weapons. In February 1986 the executive met to condole the death of Rama Devi, Nishanmani Devi and Suryamani Maharatha. Since 1955 to 1985, in all conferences resolutions were passed for universal health and education programme and 25% reservation for women in all walks of life. These resolutions were sent to the Prime Minister and Chief Minister through the District Collector. After 1985, there was a marked change in the attitude of women. Women now, in addition to social service, evinced considerable interest in politics.
On January 3, 1987 a condolence meeting was held to mourn the death of Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab, vertern freedom fighter and ex-Chief Minister of Orissa. On March 22 an essay and debate competition was held among the High School girl students.
The year 1988 is memorable in that it was in this year that a home for the distressed was set up. At the initial stage, 40 women who were otherwise abandoned, distressed and shelterless were housed in the said home. In order to make them self employed, training were imparted in areas like coir and applique works, tailoring, making papads and processing spices. A printing press was set up for resource generation and to train women in composition. In 1991, a three day symposium was organised to highlight on the necessity of legal aid to women in distress and to focus special attention on women in sectors like health and education. The symposium was attended by hundreds of women from different blocks.
In 1992, the Annual Meet of the ‘Sangha’ was held on May 16 and 17. The meet was opened by the then Chief Minister Biju Pattanaik who was overwhelmed to see such a huge organisation
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of women running to thousands. The guests of honour were Mrs. Kamala Das,,Minister of health and Mr. Prafulla Samal. Mr. Pattnaik also inaugurated the 75-bedded Working Womens’ Hostel. In 1992 around 30 adult education centres were set up in the muslim-dominated municipal area with the basic aim of spreading literacy among Muslim women. Each centre could enroll 30 women
and 30 lady teachers were appointed for the purpose after giving them ten days training. The year 1995 unfolded a glorious chapter in the history of the organisation when Dr. Radha Devi, Secretary, was chosen as a delegate to attend the 4th International Women’s Conference held in Beijing.
In 1996, 25 nonformal education centres were setup in 12 panchayats of north Remuna under government assistance. As the students were very poor, they were provided with dress and study materials by the organisation. To monitor the whole activities, a project officer was appointed. In total 625 students in the age group of 6 to 14 belonging to scheduled caste and tribe were imparted teaching.
The Annual Conference of 1997 was inaugurated by Dr. Gourkishore Das, vice-chancellor of Utkal University. The other honourable guests and speakers on that occasion were eminent Judge Purnachandra Mishra, Bhupal. Mohapatra, President Zilla Parishad; Sabitri Choudhury, Chairperson, State Social Welfare Advisory Board and Dr. Kartikeswar_Patra, Ex-M.P. This conference specially highlighted the atrocities against women. The evening session was attended by guests like Dr. Gourkishore Das, his wife Bulbul Das, Manorama Mohapatra and Annapurna Moharana. Their collective address was adequate to boost the morale of the women delegates as well as members. My primary intentions of harping on the activities of the ‘Nari Sangha’ is that through it a lot of wings have come up at various levels and they are providing employment opportunities to the poor and distressed women. The Biswabharati Women’s Society at Baliapal has engaged around 600 women in coir works and is exporting the products abroad. The Womens’ Society of Nilgirl has employed a good number of women from 10 villages and are engaged in making pickles, agarbatis and other useful products. The women society in Soro, Simulia and other blocks have proved very useful for the promotion of govt’s ducra project.
In 1998 to provide employment to educated young women of the district a packaging unit of the Polar Latex Company was set up and around 200 women could be engaged at a monthly remuneration of Rs. 700 to Rs. 800. A unit of ‘Raha’, a women society of Balasore is working here to produce various domestic items made of Sabal grass. In 1998, a lokadalat was held under the auspices of the ‘Narl Sangha’. On 18th January of the same year a oneday workshop on renewable energy was organised. The aforesaid lokadalat was inaugurated by Sri Raghunath Pattaniak, Minister of Law. Among others, the adalat was attended by Mrs. Lopamudra Mohanty, Chairperson State Women’s Commission, Mrs. Sabitri Choudhury, Chairperson State Social Welfare Board and Mr. Dillip Sahu. Thè adalat specially took up the cases where woman were the parties. On this occasion strong demands were made for 33% reservation for women in State and Central legislature.
1999 shook the backbone of Orissa consequent upon the devastating super cyclone that struck Orissa on 29 October. Our members rose to the occasion and fanned out to various affected areas and distributed old clothes and food packets to the distressed people. In 1999 the international women conference of the NGOs was held in Seoul, South Korea. Dr. Radha Devi, Chairperson of the district ‘Nari Sangha’ attended the meet. On September 5 of the same year, a oneday workshop was organised at Kadrabad, Balasore to highlight on the utility of nutritious food for women and children. On September 12, a legal aid workshop for providing legal rights to women was held at Sahadevkhunta, Balasore.
The 36th Annual Conference of the ‘Sangha’ was held on 6.1.2001 and 7.1.2001. While Sharat Kar, speaker, Orissa legislative assembly inaugurated the meet, the other honorable guests of the occasion were Dr. Karunasagar Behera, Vice Chancellor, F.M. University, Mr. Kharabela Swain, M.P., Balasore; Mrs. Manorama Mohapatra, editor ‘The Samal’ and Mrs. Lopamudra Mohanty, Chairperson State Women Commission. On 7.1.2001 the conference was graced by luminaries like Mr. Arjun Sethi, Union Minister for Water resources, Mrs. Kamala Das, State Minister, Mr. Bijayshree Routray, State Minister, Dr. Prasanna Patsani, honourable M.P.,
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the ‘Sangha’ opened August 19, a seminar All Orissa Women
Sri Balabhadra Majhi and Sri Bhupal Chandra Mohapatra. In this year too25 schools in 12 panchayats of Remuna blocks under the employment guarantee scheme. On on women empowerment was also held. Conference and the 37th annual
In 2002, the executive meeting of the conference of the organisation was held jointly on 21st December. While the exhibition held on the occasion was opened by Sri Sharat Kar, Speaker, Orissa legislative assembly, the general session was inaugurated by Sri Satyanarayan Reddy, former governor of Orissa. A seminar on health and a general seminal on other pertinent issues was also organised. The guests who graced the seminars and the general session are Mr. Jiban Pradeep Dash, MLA, Balasore, Mrs. Lopamudra Mohanty; Mr. Sudhanshu Sarangi, S.P. Balasore; Mrs. Rezia Sultana, Dr. Suprava Das, Advocate Niranjan Panda, Mrs. Manorama Mohapatra, Mr. Vishal Dev, Collector, Balasore; Dr. Karunasagar Behera, Vice-Chanceller, F.M. University; Mrs. Sanjukta Rout, Mrs. Gayatri Kar, Mr. Gouranga Charan Mishra, Mr. Bijay Kumar Das; Zilla Parishad Chairman Mrs. Laxmipriya Sethi; Padmabati Das, manager mahila bank; District Social Welfare Officer Mrs., Gayatri Pradhan, Mrs. Sabitri Choudhury, Mrs. Namita Panda, Mr. Rabindra Mohan Das and Dr. Damodar Rout, hon’ble Minister of Culture and Panchayat Raj.
CONCLUSION: It is heartening to note that many important women political leaders members of this organisation. We have imparted training to elected women leaders before government took up the task. The problems that women face today are many. Poverty, ignorance and illiteracy envelop the women living in the village, slum and hilly regions. The porblems faced by muslim and tribal women are specially acute. In retrospect, I have highlighted the efforts put in by various women societies. To day, there has been an increased awareness among women. They come with their various social and family problems. The Mahila Commission is accepting their petitions like a letterbox and forwarding them to the crime branch which are mostly filled. It takes years for estranged women with children to get maintenance and justice. Thousands of cases are lying in Balasore Court alone. The number of cases in Cuttack and Rourkela is equally large. Some accident cases are being tried by the Lokadalat. A Lokadalat was held for women under the auspices of this organisation on 15.5.1998. But the most unfortunate part of the whole thing is that most of the male parties did not attend the adalat even though they got the notice. Consequently, only a few cases were solved. Today’s women are highly creative and their aptitude to solve problem is quite sharp. Only ignorance, illiteracy, lack of knowledge about government rules and programme are the greatest stumbling block. girls and women have no concern
of today were once
It is distressing to observe that present day educated and sympathy for the women in distress. For them social work does not hold any promise for drawn to “moneymaking social service”.
them. They are now Though presently women face many hardship, I am very optimistic about their future. The education level of both rural and urban women has improved. Women are now aware of family planning programme and the evils of superstition. With progressive improvement of standard of life, spreading of women education and with more and more women representatives figuring in of women is going to improve.
state and central legislatures, the lot The problem of women have been the problems of the world. This realisation has dawned on me after I attended the World Women’s Conference in Beijing. Around forty thousand women representing all the countries of the world, through U.N.O., could compel their respective governments to take necessary steps for upliftment of women’s condition. Women constitute half of the global population. Global progress is impossible without progress of the womenfolk.
TO BE CONTINUED…