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16 Days of Activism to stop violence against Women – 2024

16 Days of Activism to stop violence against Women – 2024

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From 25th November to 7th December 2024, Soroptimist International observed 16 days of Activism. On 9th December, SI Poona members in collaboration with Gandhian Studies at the National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN) took the initiative to organize a lecture for the ladies who work as househelp and stay near NIN on Tadiwala road. Dr Naina Athayle offered to deliver a lecture in one of the classrooms at NIN. The topics selected were divided in 3 phases, viz. empowerment of women, legal, health and education among women. The time decided was 6 pm. The ladies were first taken around the campus of NIN, and specially to the Gandhi Bhavan. At around 6:40 Dr Naina began the lecture and put light on topics of the legal rights of the ladies, tackling day to day issues, and also gave them tips to address their issues in the court
‘Let Me Bloom’ – Fund Raiser 2024

‘Let Me Bloom’ – Fund Raiser 2024

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The date 18 October 2024, was really an exciting day for the members of Soroptimist Pune, who had been preparing for months and working on every minute detail for the fund raiser for one of our oldest and pioneering project, “Let me Bloom” scheduled for this day. The event was attended by all our fellow Soroptimist sisters who were present in Pune on this date. The program was scheduled from 5pm- 8pm. Everyone gathered with full enthusiasm, tea along with biscuits was served initially for the audience to sip in some joy, thanks to Jayashree Kale for sponsoring the tea, and Dr Naina Athalye for the biscuits which came with warm good wishes. Our two esteemed artistes to perform for the evening were Sonal Pendse, a classical dancer, and Kapil Patil, a stand-up comedian. The event began at 5.30p.m. as the guests trickled in and
Let Me Bloom (Cheque Distribution 2024)

Let Me Bloom (Cheque Distribution 2024)

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As the practice has been over the years of SI Poona Flagship Project, Let Me Bloom, this year too it was celebrated and the cheques were handed to the deserving candidates. Over the years the project is flourishing and the recipients are increasing. This definitely reflects the success of the project. As agreed by the members mutually, it was decided that it will be celebrated on 6 September at Infinity Vista. There were 17 recipients of the Scholarships. There were 8 members who were new this year. Out of total 17 girls, 12 attended the function along with one guardian. To grace the occasion, we invited chief guest Adv. Sahasrabudhe Mridula Mayuresh along with our guests of honor Farzana Parveen and Adv Nisrin Badshah. The meeting started at 4:00 pm, with all the students along with their parents, Soroptimist sisters, Chief guest and guests of
Fund Raising Initiative

Fund Raising Initiative

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An effort towards 'Let Me Bloom'..! Soroptimist International Club of Poona conducted several musical, dance ballet, stagin of plays and film shows of award winning movies arranged at the National Film Archives of India to raise fnds for key projects. March 2018 also saw a musical program of devotional songs sung by two young upcoming artistes. The show was much appreciated and a substantial sum was raised for 'Girl Child Education Sponsorship' project - moving ahead with 'Let Me Bloom' ..!
Gender Activism and Equality

Gender Activism and Equality

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Gender Equality and Awareness: SI Poona kicked off the 16 days of Gender Activism by having a talk on Gender based Violence by known activist Indu Capoor of CHETNA. The talk focused on the discrimination that girls and women faced and looked at how we can bring about a change in this by role modelling and setting an example in our families. Members also celebrated by dressing up in Orange. This project was held in collaboration with National Institute of Naturopathy. The talk was delivered to members of SI Poona Outcome : Members reflected on their own experiences of having been discriminated on account of gender and the impact it has on our lives. About 15 people benefitted through this directly. Indirectly ,the people who come into NIN observed the banner and asked curious questions about the 16 days of Activism SDG’s Covered The program
Charter ceremony of SI Club of Srinagar (Kashmir)

Charter ceremony of SI Club of Srinagar (Kashmir)

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One of our members, Anu Wakhlu took the initiative to introduce Sorptimism in Srinagar. As a result, on 19th Aug 2023, the first ever SI Club of Srinagar (Kashmir), saw the light of the day. The venue chosen was the College of Education, Srinagar. The Charter ceremony was conducted by SIGBI President Catherine Cottridge, who flew down from UK, to grace the occasion. The chief guest for the Installation ceremony was Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University, who attended the Charter ceremony online. She later joined the members for lunch; SI Srinagar was further honoured by presence of Prof. Pam Rajput. The Charter ceremony was also presided by NASI Resident President Nisha Ghosh, NASI Membership and Development Officer Anitha Rangarajan, NASI President elect Naina Shah, many Presidents and members from different SI clubs of NASI. SI Club of Poona, being the mother club
Workshop on Menstruation and Hygiene

Workshop on Menstruation and Hygiene

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The Workshop on Menstruation and Hygiene was conducted by Ranjana Taskar with Anjana Mitra and Hazeka H Ginwala as attendees for the children of a corporate CSR group. The students consisted of both boys and girls, mostly between the age group of 17-21. Three academic year batches attended the workshop, with a total of 90+ students present. The workshop began with the display of a handbook on menstruation, followed by a PPT presentation prepared by Ranjana Taskar. The presentation consisted of 7 slides that explained the menstruation cycle, the monthly calendar of a girl’s cycle, the emotional and physical changes that a girl experiences during menstruation, the usage of pads and proper disposal of pads. Ranjana Taskar also discussed at length all the social taboos surrounding menstruation and why they are irrelevant in today’s time. In the second leg of the workshop, there was a
English Project at UshaTai Lokhande Edu Trust School

English Project at UshaTai Lokhande Edu Trust School

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I had visited the schools sometime in the beginning of this year and was impressed to see the students and teachers . The cleanliness, discipline was meticulous and the enthusiasm running high. When I interacted with the teachers and the students I could see the need for a bit of an impetus to make /encourage the students to speak more in English in order to prepare them for the outer world of higher studies and jobs. I also realized from my earlier experience of working in rural schools that It’s difficult for teachers to do extra work with students in the form of lesson planning and thinking of innovative and new methods of teaching. Therefore, I have designed a course and Teacher’s manual for the teachers to use to teach English communication skills with the students. It contains a program that can be used for
Joy of Learning

Joy of Learning

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The joy of learning was coordinated by Mr. Mujtaba Lokhandwala Our both schools kai. Ushatai lokhande charitable trust sanchilit madhyamik vidyalay kauthe malkapur and wablewadi are both schools are running in tribal and rural area. We are in need of the correct direction according to the overall development of the school students and teachers . also the need of the inspiration for the students and teachers have get form this programme. The programme go through the following way. First day of 11th December is for the teachers training. We learn form this workshop Science , Math, Art& creativity , Geography the easiest way of learning through the inspirational way. Second day Is for the students 12th December 2023. Form the both school first day teacher learn the things carefully for the future of student and the next day is very enjoyable for both students and
International Women’s Day 2020

International Women’s Day 2020

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In March 2020, SI Poona celebrated International Women’s Day at their monthly meeting. A young couple Mr. Kanad Joag and his partner Ms. Pauline Charriot, were invited, as our special guests for the occasion. The couple is involved in V.C.D.M. or Village Community Development Movement, in the village of Pabal, about 50 kms. from Pune. They are deeply committed to VCDM, which is a farmers’ movement, working for forty years for holistic rural development of this area. The centre is a support house for girls in the age group of five to sixteen years, coming from challenged backgrounds, and besides giving them basic necessities, they are also sent to school. The girls are also taught several other activities like farming, household chores, and various crafts made from natural fibres and materials, which are also sold and well appreciated. SI Poona members expressed their interest in