Mangaluru, March 18, 2018: Sahodaya Bethany Social Service Trust, Bendoor Mangaluru along with Sahodaya Bethany Mahilaa Okkutta organized women’s day celebration at St Raymond’s auditorium on Saturday, March 17. The program was presided by Sr.Shanthi Priya the Director of Sahodaya and Secretary of Bethany Social Service Trust. Area MLA J. R. Lobo, was the honourable Chief Guest. Mrs. Kusuma H. Devadiga Vinayak Garments proprietor inaugurated the function, Mrs. Sabitha Misquith, City Corporator, Mrs. Sujatha Shetty of police department, Mrs. Prema WPC women’s police station Pandeshwar, and Mrs. Flossy Lobo, a woman entrepreneur, were the honourable Guests of the day.
Sr. Michelle the Program Co-ordinator of Sahodaya Bethany Social Service Trust at the outset gave a brief history of the foundation of Bethany Social Service Trust and Sahodaya as its wing. Its inception emerged from the vision of the Founder Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas the Founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany and the first four pioneers. She then introduced the Guests of the day and accorded a cordial welcome to all the dignitaries on the dais. The program was creatively inaugurated by Mrs Kusuma H. Devadiga by symbolically releasing the hands of a bound woman.
Sahodaya, on this auspicious occasion recognized and honoured the women of valour, and grit who have excelled in life and have been a source of inspiration to other women. The awardees were Mrs. Kusuma H. Devadiga- the Proprietor of Shri Vinayaka Garments, Mrs. Flossy D’souza – the proprietor of Vishwas Home Products and five other women entrepreneurs from 5 Self Help Groups were honored for their self employment. They are : 1. Mrs. Bhagya, Kodikal, 2. Mrs. Sujatha, Mulky 3. Mrs. Mohini, Madame, 4. Mrs. Benny D’souza, Madame, 5. Mrs. Mumtaz, Porkodi.
MLA, Mr. J. R. Lobo addressed the gathering and applauded the women for their commendable contribution to the family and
society and he also underscored the importance of the role of a mother in the family and in the making of a good society. Today many women have excelled in various fields and have taken leadership roles in the society, particularly the women of Dakshina Kannada District. He called on them to be the role model to other women. He appreciated the works of Bethany Sisters and their valuable leadership in empowering the women through their various ministries.
Sr. Shanthi Priya the President in her key note address applauded the women of substance of past years and modern day women who have achieved much in all the sectors of the society breaking the barriers of patriarchal mentality. Isn’t it the right time that we reinterpret womanhood and give women their due, she added.