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Deepak Foundation celebrates its tenth anniversary
 November 26, 2002
Deepak Foundation (Deepak Charitable Trust & Deepak Medical Foundation) celebrated a "Decade of Women's Development at Deepak Foundation" on the 26th of November at Nandesari. Dr. Amritaben Patel, Chairman N.D.D.B. was the chief guest at this function. More than 1000 women from villages around Nandesari participated whole-heartedly in the event.
Deepak Foundation, set up by the Deepak Group of Industries, has been making a concerted effort for the last ten years to empower women in 27 villages around Nandesari. The focus has been on the formation and strengthening of village level women's groups that take up activities such as saving and lending; dairying; reproductive health; legal aid etc. Special effort has been made to involve the village men in this process and sensitise them towards issues of gender equality. The Director of Deepak Foundation, Aruna Lakhani, shared with the audience, the changes in women's lives and in the villages over the last ten years - the most impressive being the growth in the confidence levels of the women.
A reflection of this was clearly visible in the interactive sessions and programmes organised by the village women themselves. Six women and one man from villages such as Rajgadh, Angadh, Rayka, Nandesari took the stage and shared their experiences after the intervention of Deepak Foundation in their villages. It was inspirational to hear Shardaben, Dy. Sarpanch of Nandesari say, "Even though I am illiterate, today after interacting with Deepak Foundation I am not only able to fend for myself but am also looked upon in the village with respect." Taraben Parmar of Angadh shared her experiences of overcoming her fear of formal institutions such as banks and learning to deal with bank officials. Prabhatsinh Rathod, ex-sarpanch Rayka shared with the audience the changes in the day-to-day lives of rajput women brought about by the activities of Deepak Foundation.
An exhibition highlighting these activities was also put up at the venue that was handled totally by village women and field team of Deepak Foundation. In order to convey the crux of Deepak Foundation activities in a form that would interest the 1000 strong audience of rural women, a play was enacted by the village women and field team of Deepak Foundation.
Dr. Amritaben Patel, a world renowned authority in the field of dairy co-operatives said, "It is indeed inspiring to see the efforts put in by these village women in Deepak Foundation activities and these efforts bear fruit. I sincerely hope to see a higher representation of these women on the Baroda Dairy governing board in the near future so they can also become leaders." She encouraged the women to work for greater self-sufficiency. She also inaugurated the new building of the Sakariyapura women's dairy co-operative. In the five years of its existence this totally women managed and led co-operative has been able to construct its own building with the participation of the entire community.
Special guests at this function were also: Dr. I.G. Patel, Ex-Governor R.B.I.; Mr. Hasmukhbhai Shah, Chairman, Gujarat Ecology Commission; Mr. Manubhai Shroff. The function was well attended and graced by academics and leading luminaries of Baroda.
Director
Deepak Charitable Trust
9-10 Kunj Society
Alkapuri
Vadodara - 390 007
Phone: 91-265-2371439, 2371410
Fax: 91-265-2371679
Visit us at: www.dct-dmf.org
Email: arunalakhani@rediffmail.com
Email: deepakfoundation@yahoo.com
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