Bio-wise and otherwise

Women and society

Seventy odd years ago, Thimmakka, a poor yet spirited woman, was born in Gubbi, a remote village in Karnataka, India. At a very young age, she was married off to Chikkanna, a landless labourer from another nearby village. Apparently, it was not Nature's plan for them to have a child. But then perhaps Nature chose her to become a mother, in quite a different way.

One fine day 45 years ago, Chikkanna and Thimmakka simply decided to plant trees. It was no small goal. This spunky couple chose to plant saplings along a whole 4 km stretch of road between Hulikal and nearby Kudur. Thimmakka reckoned that shade along the parched land would provide succor to many a weary traveler.

They first planted saplings in a nursery before transfering them onto the road, always managing to maintain a proper distance between two adjacent saplings. Today, the trees stand proud, having been nurtured by the couple's gentle hands. Thimmakka received awards many years later, but surely her biggest trophy must be the green canopy lining the dusty road.

Between June 8-10, 2007, the International Association for Human Values, an international NGO in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth are organizing a conference to highlight the achievements of women in bringing about positive social change with a focus on values and ethics.

The main aim of the conference is to educate 500 girl children in India and to empower 1000 women prisoners across the globe. But it is also to recognize the wonderful contribution of women like Thimmakka.

In his speech at the previous conference held in 2005, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar said: Women bring human beings to the planet…and teach us how to live. Women teach us our first behaviour, our first step in life. Women can glue the differences and bring people of diverse nature together. These qualities are inherent in a woman. For a woman, it is quite natural to relate from the level of the heart. It is necessary that women bring together the finest aspects of society; the feminine, and the ability to create, with the transformational ability to make a difference in society - these two should go hand in hand...

Many women are given awards for making a significant, positive contribution to society.  Thimmakka was one of the proud awardees at the last conference.  Shyama Sondhi was given an award for her unwavering commitment in Jammu and Kashmir to create an  Art of Living Youth movement and bringing about trauma relief and rehabilitation for youth and  prisoners. 

The conference will be attended by women all over globe, from all walks of life.  Her Highness Susan Al Said (Sultanate of Oman reflected thus:  I am very blessed that I was invited to thsi conference...We also have empowerment of women and various women ministers in the Sultanate of Oman...the future looks very bright.

This year's topics at the conference include: Women with a vision, A Vision for Governance: Democratic Governance,  A Vision for Business Leadership, Action for Awareness, Action for Empowering Women, Action for Environmental Sustainability, Action for Economic and Social Development and Action for Campaigning against female foeticide.

We as women, often have so many ideas, hopes and ideals that we carry in our hearts. But then, these dreams often remain frozen inside, because we are afraid that we hope to achieve too much.  Something beyond our capacity. Perhaps it's just a starting problem, a small bump on the road. Once we plant the first sapling, surely the second one should be easier? And so the third.

It is conferences such as these that will allow our dreams to blossom, when we note that other like-minded and equally shy women exist in this world. Holding hands, we can empower, inspire one another and move on. 

I just might join in as a (woman!) volunteer to help out at the conference. So I definitely  hope to share the conference highlights with my friends out here @ Sun. (Yet another feminine dream!)

Posted at 11:11PM Apr 29, 2007 by Manju in Sun  |  Comments[1]