Women Development Cell

Introduction
Women Development Cell (WDC) of Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts and Commerce, Chembur Mumbai in association with Soroptimist Welfare Association (SIBC ) organized a Talk by Advocate Vishhal Saxxenaa , a Criminal Law specialist and advocate of the Supreme Court of India on the Theme “Crimes Against Women” on 2nd March, 2023 from 7.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. as a part of Women’s Day Celebration.

Activity
The event was inaugurated by The Dr. Eknath Zhrekar, I/C Principal of Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts and Commerce, Chembur.

The main speaker Shri Vishhal Saxxenaa started his talk and made this interactive. The audience was enthralled with his depth of knowledge. He practices at The Bombay High Court and he is also the member of The Supreme Court Bar Association. Besides being a lawyer Vishhal Saxxenaa is also a Chartered Accountant and Post Graduate Diploma in Business management (Finance). He has a strong base of knowledge and experience which helps him handling criminal matters efficiently.

Shri Vishhal Saxxenna is a visiting faculty of Maharashtra Police for training Police officers at Khandala and Pune on dealing with crime against women and laws related to sexual harassment. He is also the visiting faculty of Police Training Centre, at Narendra nagar, Uttarakhand to train police officers on gender sensitization. He is a prominent speaker and regularly deliver lectures on various social platforms on women empowerment. Being an Urdu poetry lover, he has also authored a book named as “Masoom Ki Kalam Se Bhaag-1” consisting of his own Urdu poetries

The event was well programmed and managed by the librarians Parveen Arif, Lata Krishnan and other staff members of the College who helped in their own special way. The event was graced by the presence of Professors, Students of Night Junior and Degree College and members of Soroptimist Welfare association (SIBC). It was an eye-opening experience for all who came to this programme.

Beneficiaries
Teachers, students from Mahatma Night Degree College and Mahatma Night Junior College and members of Soroptimist Welfare association participated and benefitted from this programme.

This special workshop was organized by the Women Development Cell and NSS unit of our college in association with Stree Mukti Sanghatana on the 25th and 27th February, 2023 in our college. About 119 students (boys and girls) from first year, second year and third year participated in the both days sessions.

On the first day, the 25th February, 2023 the session was inaugurated by the I/C Principal Dr. Eknath Zhrekar and Resource person Ms. Sangeeta Saraf. Dr. Tushar A. Pawar introduced the guest of honor and the resource person Ms. Sangeeta Saraf.

The opening session was delivered by Ms. Sangeeta Saraf on the topic Gender equality. The speaker highlighted need of considering equal physical and mental power in both genders. She underlined that the time had come to respect mutually and appreciate the strength in each other. It is also pointed out that unlike previous generation, females cannot be side line in any area. The session was a strong attempt to erase the mind-set existing even in the young generation with a reserved discriminative mentality. However, the entire session was thought provoking and very much Live. The students came forward with a few queries and the speaker clarified them very well.

The second session of the day was on selection of life partner. This was also very interesting and very much interactive. The speaker then motivated the students to imagine the scene of their proposing to their life partner. After some time, the speaker collected their demands made to their partner at the time of proposal. Each demand was jotted down on the board and analyzed them. Letter she sang songs related to each of the points written on the board. Toward the end of the session the students were found very positive in selecting the partner to lead a happy married life.

The programme was concluded after the vote of thanks proposed by the Dr. Tushar A. Pawar

The second day’s session was on marital adjustment by Mr. Chandrakant Sarvogod. Dr. Tushar A. Pawar introduced and Welcome Mr. Sarvogod and Mrs. Shobha Madam from Stree Mukti Sanghatana. After formal introduction of speaker Dr. Tushar requested Mr. Parveen Arif Chairperson WDC to Felicitate Mr. Sarvogod with Sapling as a token of love. The speaker, first of all, laid down a few case studies regarding the tendencies to get divorced after a short-married life. The speaker opened out the possible reasons and the strong one of them is weakness in mutual understanding. He advocated the need of open talks about the thought about the partner and feelings to be respected. The other reason for separation being not recognizing or supporting the decisions taken by either-or. In-fact the partners can counsel each other whenever a stress or strain disturbed the relation. Giving mutual respect is only solution for a prospective married life. After formally winding up the session the house was open for question answer time. The students well utilized this period to get clear many of them confusing thoughts they observed in other family relations which should not take place in their future life.

Mr. Chandrakant Sarvogod started new session on the same day after five minutes break on Sexuality education and legal aspects. This was more or less on anatomic knowledge imparting about the mis-concepts in about reproductive system. The speaker detailed each segment of getting fertility and pregnancy. He also gave an idea about X and Y chromosomes and classification in the birth of boy and or girl child. He also enlightened the students by giving some idea about the infertility and the possible reasons and also the treatment availability. He also lessoned the extra care and need of keeping the reproductive organs and areas with great hygiene and cleanliness for preventing venereal diseases.

In the legal aspect session, he started with the careful documentation of marriage related papers to ensure correct nomination to safe guard the survivors. If anything, fatal occurs to anyone. Before the session concluded there was a brief interactive give and take round up. The feedback from the students was very satisfactory.

The final days all the sessions came to an end and programmed was disbursed after vote of thanks by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lata Krishnan.

The Students gathered in Room No. 404. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lata Krishnan introduced the resource persons and made opening remarks on the theme of the talk “Legal Rights”. She said it is very important for everyone to know their legal rights particularly when they are thinking of marriage and understand the responsibility and legal implications of marriage. Principal Dr. Eknath Zhrekar welcomed the resource persons Advocate Rajashri Damle and Ms. Manisha from Stree Mukti Sanghatana with a bouquet of flowers.

Advocate Rajshri Damle is a social activist who has worked in the community with and for women on various issues pertaining to divorce, physical and sexual abuse of women etc. She has experience in bringing families from the margin to mainstream and working closely with grassroots women and organizing them into SHG Federations. She has worked with high impact organizations like Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Karve Institute of Social Sciences, Dept. of Water and Sanitation-GoM, SWaCH Pune, Annapurna Pariwar, Disha, Stree Adhar Kendra, Stree Mukti Sanghatana, SNEHA, CRISIL, Kirloskar Consultants, Urvi Ashok Piramal Education Trust and Foundation.

In her talk, Adv. Rajashri Damle explained all the laws with sections and gave vivid examples to emphasize different laws such as The Special Marriage Act, 1954, The Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, Marriage Registration in India. She explained that Marriage registration gives legal validity to the marriage of 2 persons. A marriage certificate also acts as legal proof of marriage in case of any dispute between the spouses in the future. A family lawyer can apply for marriage registration in the state where the spouses reside. She explained how in Hindu marriages we very often forget to register marriages.

She spoke about Court Marriage Registration in India.

She discussed living-in relationships and their legal standing. She said that the Supreme Court of India had held that if a man and woman living together for a long period of time, would be considered as married and would enjoy all rights also the children born to live-in partners are treated as Legitimate.

She explained the Atrocities Act. An Act to prevent the commission of offenses of atrocities against the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, to provide for Special Courts and the Exclusive Special Courts for the trial of such offenses and for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of such offenses.

Ms. Manish of Stree Mukti Sanghatana also shared her views on the topic. The question-answer session was exciting as students had many questions to ask particularly with reference to the recent Shrddha Murder case.

The talk ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Jayshree Balotiya of S.Y.B.Com.

Introduction
Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality on 8th March every year. Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts and Commerce too echoed its gratitude to all the Women teachers and friends of Mahatma Education Society by organizing this Webinars to strengthen this move towards women empowerment.

Activity
Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts and Commerce In association with Soroptimist Welfare Association (SIBC) conducted this webinar on “Aspire to Inspire” on 13th March 2021, Saturday between 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The world of education is an exciting area in which Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts and Commerce continues to bring inspired people together in forum like this.

The In-Charge Principal Dr. Eaknath Zhrekar, Dr. Lata Krishnan, Dr. Anaya and Librarian Ms. Parveen Arif were the in-charge of the above programme. Dr. Reni Francis, Principal, Pillai College of Education & Research, Chembur, Mumbai was the resource person for the day.

Dr. Reni Francis explained the need to aspire people or to rise them up to a great plan. She explained in details that this is required to achieve an abundant hope of fulfilling a worthwhile mission. She also explained by various audio and video clips to be a change leader to inspire people to join in for a higher cause, influencing soulful action.

Beneficiaries
Total 56 Teachers and student participants were benefitted from this webinar.

Introduction
Under the banner of Golden Jubilee Celebration of Mahatma Education Society, Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts and Commerce organized various National Level Webinars during the pandemic.

Activity
Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts and Commerce in association with Soroptimist Welfare association (SIBC) conducted this Webinar on “Ki and Ka: Balancing Gender Roles” on 8th December 2020, Tuesday between 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The IQAC Coordinator Dr. Eaknath Zhrekar, Dr. Lata Krishnan, Dr. Anaya and Librarian Ms. Parveen Arif were the in-charge of the above programme. Ms. Urmila Suresh Salunkhe, Gender expert & Sr. Programme Coordinator AKSHRA Foundation was the resource person for the day. As the need of the hour, Ms. Urmila Suresh Salunkhe explained why society-defined gender roles may crash with the modern roles of family members and many families will experience the dilemma of the crashing gender roles. The shift in gender role takes a great adverse toll on society at large, compared to other attached benefits.

Beneficiaries
Total 122 Teachers and student participants were benefitted from this webinar.

On Friday 14th December, 2018 a Self Defence Workshop was organized by Women Development Cell of the college at 7.00 p.m. in the ground floor multipurpose hall of the college campus. All the girls of the college from F.Y.B.Com., S.Y.B.Com. and T.Y.B.Com. participated in the Self Defence Workshop.

The resource person for this workshop was Mr. Ganesh Padyhachi of Siddha Academy, Chembur, Mumbai. Mr. Ganesh Padyachi arrived with a team of 4 volunteers who helped demonstrate various techniques to the students. The resource person is a martial art instructor practicing various styles of both modern and traditional combat (Karate and Kallaripattu).

Principal Dr. Padma Rangan welcomed the resource person Mr. Ganesh Padyachi and his team of volunteers with a bouquet of flowers. Dr. Lata Krishnan incharge, of WDC Women Development Cell of the college introduced the resource person. Mr. Ganesh Padyachi started training in martial arts at the young age of 8. He obtained a black belt and participated in tournaments at national and international levels. He has won several accolades and is well travelled. He is a practioner of Kallaripattu, a traditional style of combat. His contribution to the field of martial arts and self-defence inspired the students.

Objective: To inform girls the need and importance of self-defence in the modern urban world today.

Method: Illustration (real life stories and incidences), Demonstration of self-defence techniques.

All the girls of the college were made to practice the easy self-defence techniques demonstrated by the resource person and his team of volunteers.

In the modern urban world women and girls must understand that they are vulnerable and may be attacked anywhere any time. They have to be able to protect themselves. Firstly they should be conscious of where they are and who is surrounding them. They must differentiate between good touch and bad touch. They must not be slaves of mobile phones and social media plugged on to earphones etc. while travelling in public places. This makes them easy targets. Mr. Ganesh Padyachi demonstrated easy techniques of how using simple hand and leg movements, a girl can combat and defend herself form men / boys having evil intentions.

We must be vigilant at all times and quick with our reflexes to protect ourselves. Stories were narrated how children too fall prey to foul motives. Parents and teachers have to abide by schedules and watch and wait for children to return home on time. It is their responsibility to ensure that children are not exposed to crime in unmonitored time slots.

It is important to know the law. Help line numbers 109, 100 etc. were shared to ensure that girls get immediate help when they are attacked.

Self Defence is the need of the hour and is a basic necessity which has to be acquired by all.

Feedback from students attending the workshop was taken. They narrated what they had learnt and were happy to have participated. They felt empowered.

The self Defence workshop ended with a vote of thanks proposed by a student of the S.Y.BCom class.

The workshop was a success.

MNDC’s Lokshahi Utsav 2018 was celebrated on Tuesday, 30th January, 2018. Students of F.Y.B.Com., S.Y.B.Com. and T.Y.B.Com. celebrated the Democracy festival by participating in the Essay writing, poetry writing and poster making competition.

The topics for the competition were:

1. Democracy in my home
2. India is my country
3. Unemployment and its impact on Democracy
4. What I understand by Democracy
5. Where I find Democracy in day-to-day life
6. Democracy and Judiciary

The students were asked to write essays and poetry in the class room after discussions and interaction with them on the topics on hand. It was an interesting exercise where students got an opportunity to think, brainstorm and write on topics that are important in the current scenario.

Students were asked to prepare posters at home and submit them for the poster making competition.

The valedictory ceremony for MNDC’s Lokshahi Utsav 2018 was organized on 31st January, 2018 at 6.00 p.m. in the college campus ground floor multipurpose hall. The chief guest for the event was Ms. Uma Ranade an MA in Media & Cultural Studies, M.A. in Sociology and a visiting faculty at S’t Xavier’s College. She spoke on the topic “Nationalism” where she drew from history how the term evolved and how Mother India changed her form and representation from period to period. While she drew from history several illustrations she finally brought her attention to the burning problems the citizen of India are facing. She explained to them the state of affairs and made them think and answer several hard hitting questions. Reality is difficult to face but we are responsible for our own situation is how she summed it up. Ms. Sangeeta Shroff, member of Stree Mukti Sanghatana was the second resource person who spoke about the importance of voting and the right and responsibility to vote. She sang a song that described the state of affairs of our country and the responsibility of the people to set things right.

Prizes for the winners of the essay writing competition, poetry writing competition and poster making competition were given away by the Chief Guest Ms. Uma Ranade, Guest of Honour Ms. Sangeeta Shroff and Principal Dr. Padma Rangan. Students were invited to share their thought and ask questions to the resource persons. It was an interactive session and the participants were rapt in attention from start to finish.

It was a day well spent celebrating Lokshahi (Democracy) and drawing the attention of the students towards their role and responsibility in its functioning.