Mangaluru: International women’s day was celebrated at Sahodaya Bethany Seva Kendra, a wing of Bethany Social Service Trust ® Bendur, Mangalore on 10 March 2022 at 11.30 am in Pushpalaya Hall Bethany Mother House.
Rev Sr Rose Celine the Superior General/President of Bethany Social service trust ® presided over the function. Ravathi the Police Inspector from the Women’s Police station, Pandeshwar was the resource person. Sr Shanthi Priya the Secretary of Bethany Social Service Trust and Director of Sahodaya inaugurated the program by lighting the diya. Sr Mariette BS and Sr Sandhya BS, General Councillors and trustees of Bethany Social Service Trust were the chief guests, Sr Cleopha the Administrator, Mother House, Sr Anitha Shanthi the Superior of Mother House, Sr Leena D’Costa the program Coordinator, Sandhya the President of Sahodaya Mahila Okkuta were present on the dais.
Ravathi the Police inspector spoke on the day’s theme ‘Gender EqualityToday for a Sustainable Tomorrow’ by explaining she said that the development of the women’s talents and abilities help them to get their rights for every woman and development in every walk of life. She shared her life experience and enlightened women on various issues.
As Sr Rose Celine has been re-elected as Superior General by the XVII General chapter of The Congregation of the sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany Mangalore, she will continue to be the President of the Bethany Social Service Trust. The General Councillors, Sr Shanthi Priya, Sr Mariette, Sr Santhosh Maria, Sr Sandhya and Sr Violet D’Souza, the Procurator General will be the treasurer. On this special occasion, the trustees were honoured and felicitated by Sr Leena D’Costa the program coordinator. Bethany federation leaders with appreciation and gratitude wished them well for their future endeavours.
Sr Rose Celine in her presidential address appreciated women leaders for the progress they have made in their life, improving their economic status by taking up self-employment activities, starting a small business and receiving respect and honour in the family and the society. She gave a befitting message and encouraged women to continue to be the agents of change in the challenging world of today. She called on women to appreciate themselves and others as empowered women.
Federation members, domestic workers and Sisters participated in the program. Domestic workers with their prayer dance invoked God’s blessings at the very outset. Students from St Sebastian HPS performed a welcome dance. A self-help group of women took part in a song. Bethany Junior Sisters felicitated the women with their greeting song. A variety of games were conducted for the women and winners were awarded attractive prizes.
Sunitha, the office bearer of the federation welcomed the gathering, Ranjini proposed a vote of thanks to all those who were present for the program. Manjula and Anita compered the program. Senior editor of Sahodaya Rohini, Sahodaya staff, Nalini Shetty, Federation and SHG members, Sisters and domestic workers were present. All were served breakfast and a delicious meal.
