The Resurging Value of Civil Society for Indian Crafts
CIRCs across India celebrated Women’s Day with great gusto by engaging in various cultural programmes, meetings and discussions. CIRC Sonapur in Assam celebrated the day with participation of more than 20 women for an interactive discussion on March 8, 2017. The first session of the day revolved around ‘Women’s struggle for equality around the world’; and how March 8 is a symbol of the struggles that women around the world have undergone to gain equality and rights. At the same time, the day is a reminder of who far there is still to go.
To make the programme more interactive, some videos were screened and discussions initiated around them. In the second session, two women — Usha Rani Deka and Riya Patel — talked about their experiences with CIRC Sonapur.
Sixty-five-year-old Usha is pursuing her higher education at CIRC Sonapur under the Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University. She has also done two courses at the centre in basic computers and desktop publishing. Usha lost a husband a few years ago; and lives with her daughter-in-law who is a widow too. While interacting with the women at the CIRC, she reminded them that there is no age for education and young women should not give up their studies. Riya, on the other hand, has completed a three-month sewing and tailoring class at the CIRC, following which she opened her own shop in Ural village of Dimoria block, where she not only offers tailoring services but also teach young women the craft.
At CIRC Tain in Haryana, a special cultural programme was organised, complete with skits, dance and music performances. At CIRC Jauhar Academy, women held discussions on what it means to be an “empowered woman” and the issues they face in the society. In Baran, women from the community met the Block Development Officer to share their problems with the administration. Several other centres, including those in Halduchaur, Bhanwargarh, Vilasgarh and Bakanpura, celebrated the day in their own way.
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