VANITHA SADANA (WOMEN’S FORUM)
Vanitha Sadana is an institution dedicated to the development of women and children, for close to seven decades. It was established in 1937 by a group of residents in Mysore City (Karnataka) who were inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and ably led by the distinguished and a devote Gandhian couple – Smt. Susheela Bai and Prof. Nagesha Rao. The founders foresaw the imperative of women’s development at a time when gender issues were still far away from main stream discourse, and pioneered a local revolution in educating and training women and children in general and destitute women in particular. Starting off with Hindi and Charkha (Spinning wheel) classes, Vanitha Sadana entered into the fields of adult literacy, vocational education, sports, arts, children’s library and leadership development.
Vanitha Sadana is managed by a Trust called Smt. Susheela Bai – Sri Nagesha Rao Educational and Charitable Trust (R), a nonprofit organization recognized by the Government of Karnataka. The Trust consists of 9 (nine) members. A managing committee, an education committee, a cultural committee and an advisory board represented by eminent local people from different walks of life assist in efficiently running the institution.
Over the years, the institution has provided solid educational foundation to tens of thousands of poor children and have brought new power and light into the lives of hundreds of disadvantaged women. Today it is an acknowledged leader in providing basic, all-round education through its four well organized wings, namely,
- Vanitha Sadana School
- Vanitha Sadana Vocational Centre
- Vanitha Sadana Cultural Centre
- Vanitha Sadana Children’s Book Council
VANITHA SADANA SCHOOL
Started in 1939, this school, today, has about 800 wards, mostly girls on its rolls from pre-school to 10th standard (equivalent to high school graduation).
The school has won numerous awards and honors at various levels in Education as well as sports and arts. Its alumni have established their reputation in different fields worldwide. As an aided school of the Karnataka Government, the school has been able to retain well qualified, full-time teachers who have been consistently striving to impart quality education to the children and even financially supporting some of them.
An extraordinary feature of this school is that the majority of its students come from economically backward families and many of them are unable to pay even the admission / tuition fees. Despite severe financial, infrastructural and other constraints, the school has never compromised on quality and has been providing all-round education to the students in keeping with its stated objective which is- educating children and empowering women.
ii. VANITHA SADANA VOCATIONAL CENTRE
To provide vocational education to women was one of the prime objectives of this Institution. It began its activities with Charakha Training for poor women. The success of this programme soon led to the development of an exclusive Vocational Centre with a range of training programmes like tailoring, embroidery, cloth weaving, cloth printing and mat making. Tailoring and embroidery training programmes proved to be a remarkable success as it opened up good career and self employment opportunities to a number of poor women. But with passage of time and due to financial constraints many of these courses have been withdrawn. Some courses have gone out of demand as well, necessitating introduction of a new generation of courses, relevant to today’s market demands.
iii. VANITHA SADANA CULTURAL CENTRE
This Centre was started in 1938 to encourage creative talent and foster interest in culture among women and young girls. Vocal and Instrumental Music, Dance are taught here. The Centre also organizes Seminars and holds performances for promotion of Indian culture. The Centre is recognized by the State Government.
iv.VANITHA SADANA CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL(CBC)
The CBC, an important wing of the Sadana, was founded in 1947 with the objective of establishing a Library of Children’s Books and a reading room with audio-visual aids.
During its 62 years of existence, the CBC has achieved its objective with distinction. It has published number of educational books and magazines for children, has held book exhibitions and has been involved in many children’s activities. It has a collection of more than 10,000 books in its library. Today’s CBC activities include organizing Dasara and summer camps for bringing science awareness amongst children, imparting training in personality development and leadership qualities, field training in first aid, teaching discipline etc. The children are also taken to rural areas to have a peep into the life of villagers.
Thus, it is seen that the Vanitha Sadana, in seventy long years of its existence, has done commendable service in educating thousands of girls and empowering women coming from poorer strata of society. In doing so, it has taken the financial burden on itself and with generous offers from good Samaritans without penalizing the students. One would be surprised to note that the average fee charged to the students at the Sadana is Rs.250/- per annum which is abysmally low in today’s context.
However, if Vanitha Sadana is to continue to uphold the noble cause and make progress, new courses aided by modern technology have to be introduced. It has to provide proper infrastructure for educating the children in a clean, safe and healthy environment. These improvements are possible only if enough funds are available with the managers of the institution. Also, what is most unfortunate is, the school which has a heritage of about seventy decades, remains unknown to most of the residents of Mysore.
Hence, a group of Sadana’s alumni have come forward and have decided to focus on following three areas which need urgent attention.
1. Raise Funds for Sadanas developmental activities,
2. Boost student enrollment in the school,
3. Popularize Sadana through publicity and other related activities.
As a first step in the direction the above students and the Members of the Sadana (Trustees, committee members and teachers) are jointly organizing a cultural event titled ‘Vision Vanitha Sadana’ on 3rd of July at ‘Jagan Mohana Palace.’
Mr. R N Murthy, Managing Partner, M/S Ranga Rao and Sons, Mysore has kindly agreed to be the chief guest for the event. Hon. Smt. B Jayashree, M.P. (Rajya Sabha), an accomplished singer, renowned Actress and Theater personality, has graciously agreed to be the Guest of Honour.
Smt B. Jayashree will present ‘Ranga geetegalu’ which will be followed by cultural programmes from students, members and alumni of the School. A Photo exhibition depicting the story of Vanitha Sadana as it has traversed through these 70 odd years and its achievements will form part of the function.
Estimated expenditure for the event ‘Vision Vanitha Sadana’ is attached with this letter for reference. It will be highly appreciated if you could kindly support this great cause through your generous donations.
NOTE:
· Individuals/firms/Institutions/Organisations that will donate Rs. 2000 and above will be allowed to have their banner in the auditorium during the event.
· Individuals/firms/Institutions/Organisations that will donate Rs. 5000 and above will be allowed to have a stall during the event at the auditorium premises.
· Individuals/firms/Institutions/Organisations that will donate Rs. 10000 and above will be given a ‘VIP’ seat (Seat for two) and can have their banner and stall if they wish to.
· Individuals/firms/Institutions/Organisations that will donate Rs. 25000 and above will be given a ‘VIP’ seat (Seat for four) and can have their banner and stall if they wish to and they will be feted during the event.
Organizing committee:
President: Smt Kamala Raman
Vice President: Smt. Vimala
Secretary: Smt Anasuya N.
Vanitha Sadana
Mysore
Trustees: Mr. Srinivasa Murthy N.
Mr. Ravi B R
Mr. Srinivasa Rao P.
Convener of the event: Kum Srividya M R
Alumni of the School
Other members: Smt Bharathi (Papu), Smt Shashikala,
Smt. Vijayalakshmi N, Smt. Jeni Bai B M
Smt. Yashaswini, Smt. Shalini Chari
Smt Chandramma, Smt Chandrika
Smt Ashwini S Y, Smt. Shwetha Pradhan,
Smt Nudi, Kum Hemavathi
Kum Chandrika, Kumari Lakshmi
Sri Ravi V, Sri Hemanth
Sri Ajay T R, Sri Jayanth
Sri Pradeep Bhagavath
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