Shakti Scheme - Free Bus Rides For Women

In a previous blog post last week, I shared about the word "power" or "shakti" and how it is synonymous with men.

The word "Shakti" is also used along with the word "Mission" i.e.- "Mission Shakti".

This is to denote women power as "Mission Shakti" represents women and their contribution. 

We have Mission Shakti in Odisha. Women Self-Help Groups i.e. SHGs are involved. The aim is employment and good opportunities for women to realize their potential and attain goals.

Recently, another political party was elected in a large southern state of India.

One of their poll promises was the "Shakti" scheme.

Shakti Scheme- Source: All About Belgaum

Make In Odisha Unit

It was late evening when we were returning from the India Surf Festival 2016 held at Konark, Odisha, two weeks ago. On our way to Bhubaneswar, on the way, we decided to stop by and visit a woman entrepreneur's unit as they had invited us several times. We called up our contact, the manager, Kedar babu, and he said that he, along with the owner, was available then. He heartily welcomed us and guided us about the route to reach their address.

It was very easy to reach the unit as everyone, we inquired on the way, knew the way! It showed the popularity of the owner, the much-awarded entrepreneur, Smt Meenakshi Prusty. We successfully reached our destination. 

Smt Meenakshi Prusty made us feel at home. With the able support of her team- her daughter, Maansi, son-in-law, Kedar babu, and other dedicated members, their unit has been sincerely working & growing. 

2nd from Left- Kedar Babu, Centre- Meenakshi Prusty, Extreme Right -Maansi 

Smt.Prusty said that she had been busy that month, having to visit Puri almost everyday for the holy Hindu month of Kartika. We were grateful that our timing was right to meet her!

We were impressed by the sight that greeted us in her unit. We found many women busy at work. There were many electronic sewing-machines. Her daughter, Maansi, was also working with the other women.

Dum Laga Ke Haisha

Dum Laga Ke Haisha in Hindi means 'Give all your energy'.

Dum Laga Ke Haisha is also the name of  a new endearing and simple romantic-comedy Bollywood movie that I happened to watch on International Women's Day. 

It is about the marriage of Prem Prakash Tiwari (Ayushmann Khurrana) and Sandhya Verma (Bhumi Pedneker).

Spoiler-Alert- Note- This post reveals the plot, story and key scenes and lessons from the movie. Please don't read in case you wish to watch the movie.

Source

Charity Or Empowerment?

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" 
- Chinese proverb, by Lao Tzu

Given a choice out of charity or empowerment, I choose empowerment for the same reasons as expressed by the above Chinese proverb.

But, then charity is also needed for empowerment.
Empowerment needs investment- resources like time & money. Charity can step in for this.

Charitable donations are a temporary solution, while empowerment is a long-term means for progress.