LADIES SOCIAL SERVICE LEAGUE / CATHOLIC SABHA NEWS :
Women’s Day:
Ladies Social Service League and Catholic Sabha Ashoknagar jointly celebrated Women’s Day on Sunday, 24th March 2019 at St. Dominic Church Silver Jubilee Hall, Ashoknagar.
The celebration began at 5 O’clock with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Aquin Noronha. After the mass people gathered in the Hall. President of LSSL Mrs. Lynette Almeida welcomed the resource person Mrs. Merlyn Martis, Parish Priest, Rev. Fr.Aquin Noronha, Vice President Mr. Richard Gonsalves, Secretary Mr. Isaac Furtdo, Catholic Sabha President Mr. Ronald Colaco, Secretary Mr. Winson D’souza and LSS Central President Mrs. Noreen Pinto with roses. After lighting the lamp, the Secretary Mrs. Lydia Noronha read the report. She elaborated the services rendered by the society.
The dignitaries gave their messages on the Women’s day. Mrs. Janet Pais introduced the resource person Mrs. Merlyn Martis., B.Sc.,MSW, LLB. Mrs. Merlyn Martis spoke about the Indian Constitution, rights of women and present situation the women face in the society.
In her talk she said that all of us want to know about our rights and fundamental rights. The Indian Constitution gives us the rights. The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It frames fundamental, political principles, procedures, practices, rights, powers and duties of the Government. Indian Constitution has a preamble, 25 parts with 12 Schedules 5 Appendices, 448 Articles and 101 Amendments. The Constitution of India was effective from 26th January 1950 and 26th January is celebrated as Republic day of India. It was adopted by the Constitution Assembly. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee consisting of 296 committee members and out of them 15 were women.
Fundamental rights in India:
1. Right to equality ensures equal rights for all the citizens irrespective of caste, religion, place of birth, race or gender.
2. Right to Freedom provides us with various rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of movement throughout the Country, freedom of associations, freedom to practice any profession, freedom to reside in any part of the country.
3. Right against exploitation like human trafficking, child labour.
4. Right to freedom of religion, freedom to preach, practice and propagate any religion of their choice.
5. Cultural and Educational Rights protects the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic minorities by enabling them to conserve their heritage and protecting them against discrimination. Educational rights ensure education for everyone irrespective of their caste, gender, religion etc.
6. Right to Constitutional remedies ensures citizens to go to the Supreme Court of India to ask for enforcement for protection against violation of their fundamental rights. The Supreme Court has the jurisdiction to enforce the Fundamental Rights even against private bodies and in case of any violation as well to the affected individual.
Article 16 provides 33% reservation for women in Village Panchayath/Taluk Panchayath , protection of women from domestic violence.
According to a survey, girl child ratio is alarming because of many things. There are shelter homes for women and girls who have no social support systems to rely on.
She continued her talk by saying that Now-a-days the attacks on fundamental rights is increasing. Politics is different and religion is different. The elected people should read and understand the Constitution of India and represent the downtrodden in the Parliament. Irrespective of religion all women should come close and discuss the problems they face and together they can achieve what they want. Mrs. Martis answered to the questions some audience asked.
Mrs. Juliana D’Souza rendered vote of thanks. Games and skits were conducted by Mr. Ronald Colaco and Mr.Winson D’souza. Winners were awarded with the prizes. Sumptuous dinner was served to all the participants in the event. Around 180 women participated.
