Yess We Can

  • Barnali Dutta / FG
  • India
  • Jul 18, 2014

 

 

 

Although the woman is regarded to be the pivotal and apex index of divinity in Hindu scriptures, her role in society, by and large, had been subjugated by orthodox norms. She had been tied to home and hearth, and her aspirations – academic, social or cultural – have been restricted. Indeed, such has been the status of Eve around the world, in different times. Thanks to many enlightened local reformers, as also the influence of the West, some women did find a gateway to progress. The United Nations declared 1975 as the International Women’s Year, lending a boost to the much-desired empowerment of women and for their right to equal opportunities in society. However, the impact was primarily confined to the urban areas and, even till today, is yet to be experienced on any worthwhile national scale. In this scenario it is heartening to note that an enthusiastic graduate of IIT, Delhi, Harminder Singh Soni, is working sincerely for the emancipation and empowerment of women hailing from the society of ‘have-nots’ in Gurgaon. Along with his two other friends – Micky Sahni and Pami Arora - Soni had founded YESS (Your Establishment for Self Sufficiency), a non-profit voluntary forum, almost 7 years ago. Over a thousand women in Delhi have been trained and skilled by YESS, Soni says. On May Day, 2014, YESS opened its chapter in Gurgaon, to start imparting its 3-month training to ladies from underprivileged families of the Millennium City and the neighbouring villages.

YESS members are convinced that the empowerment of women is key to the future economic and social future and status of the underprivileged. Under its banner, deserving women - including grown-up girls - are imparted training and other skills in several vocational disciplines. It may be stitching or embroidery, or a course on beauty care and bridal makeup. The illiterate among the trainees are also taught the basic three ‘Rs’ – Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. The women who have ‘graduated’ from YESS are a happy lot, since many among them have capitalised on the skills learnt here by setting up their own ‘mini’ ventures. They are able to supplement the family income. Hiranti, a migrant from Jharkhand, residing with her sister near Harijan Colony in DLF Phase-V, is a beneficiary. Beaming a smile she says, “I came here to learn embroidery, so that I could earn for my family - and they are also teaching me how to read and write.” Appreciating the efforts of YESS, Balwant Rai, a senior citizen of DLF-V, says, “It is heartening to see that today’s young girls as well as housewives, especially from the underprivileged families, are responding and availing the services extended by NGOs such as YESS.” Rojina, 22, who has two children, had dreamt of opening her own shop. “I had learnt to make basic items from stitching Didi. With the money I earn I want my children to be educated and happy,” she says. Geeta, a student of 4th. Standard, comes every day after her school hours to learn, so that she can make a dress for her sister. This young girl has a dream to do something worthwhile for her family and she believes that YESS can enable her to do so. On a personal note, Soni says simply, “YESS is my way to return to society whatever I have received from it.” Yes, YESS is on the right path. The old adage is even truer for women: Give a woman a fish, you have fed her for today; teach a woman to fish and you have fed her (and her family) for a lifetime.


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