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| Mrs Sarla Sharma working for the upliftment of women |
She was in her early teens when
she decided that she would devote her life to the upliftment of women. Today,
Sarla Sharma, Vice President of All India Women Conference (Lucknow branch), is
working towards fulfilling her teenage resolution.
During the early 40’s, women were
confined within the house. It was a time when women’s education was low and the
parda tradition was in vogue. The condition of women was deplorable and
they dared not raise their voice against social injustice, informs Mrs Sharma.
Mrs Sharma was in high school
when she joined Mahila Mandal. The job of the Mandal was to persuade ladies to
attend the meeting, an extremely difficult task as their family members were
dead against it.
After completing her
intermediate, she was married to a civil servant. Her desire to work for the
upliftment of females was suspended but she continued to pursue her education.
At the age of 36, she joined DAV
College, Dehra Dun. Classes were usually conducted in the morning session.
After doing her daily chores, she used to catch the school bus. She recalls an
incident when while waiting for the bus in the foggy weather of January, ADM
and SSP’s jeep stopped in front of her.
They offered to drop her to her
destination. She was highly embarrassed and on their insistence said, “I am
going to attend my classes.” They were
surprised and questioned her why at this age she is undergoing all this
trouble. She replied that, “I did not want my children to think of me as
illiterate fool and neither do I want my husband to develop any sort of complex
before others.”
Mrs Sharma tried to help the
women and children at every station where her husband was posted. And slowly
her urge to work for females culminated in her joining the AIWC.
She contented, “We have constructed
maternity home, family planning centre, training centre for imparting education
to girls so that they can not only stand on their feet but also get educated.”
They have recently opened a chikan
training centre. Apart from women’s welfare, she is also working for older
people.
She is proposing to develop
pensioners’ home for the aged. She says, “When the God has given me the
opportunity to serve then why should I turn my back on it.”
By Seema Bhatnagar
(As published in The Times of India, Lucknow on November 21st, 1998)
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7 comments:
Of course you should be proud of your mother. It was courageous of her to continue with her education, while looking after her household. Women like her are examples. By taking it upon herself to educate herself and also follow her dream through, undoubtedly she instilled in you the desire to excel.
An inspiring story! a great mother!
KBS Bedi
Nice one.i am sure you are keeping up her good work too.
Ravi Nair
Glad u shared ur story.its the likes of Mrs Sharma who by their efforts can change and can move the juggernaut of the oppressive rules and regulations of our male dominated society that have been made only for women to follow, to keep them under "control".
Madhuri Dutta
Happy that you have always worked on the footsteps of your mother, as I have seen activities during your bank job
a great woman! Must have been a great inspiration for other young ladies!
Patwant Singh
Great Mother. She was the "Ladies Pride". We are all proud of her.
Shanta Vasan
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