Mumbai: Jagruti Kendra, Jerimeri, Andheri (E) celebrates Girl Child Day

By Flora, Jerimeri
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai, 28 Sep 2015: Jagruti Kendra, one of the reputed NGOs of Mumbai, a part of St Jude’s Church, Jerimeri, Andheri (East) here working for peace, secularism and social justice since 26 years with marginalized and unprivileged people, promoting women empowerment and encouraging youth activities, focusing on environmental issues and achieving its objectives by creating awareness in form of education. There are different activities, sessions and programs initiated by Jagruti Kendra (JK) of which ‘Girl Child Day’ Celebration is an important programme.

 

This year they celebrated ‘Girl Child Day’ at the Quadrangle of St Jude’s Church, Jerimeri on Sunday September 20 from 2.30pm to 6.00pm. More than 400 girls participated in this event from nearby schools and the ‘Street play competition on environment’ was held.

 

On this auspicious day Sr Natty (Daughters of Mary Congregation) from Health Promotion Trust was the chief guest and resource person of the event.

 

 

The programme started with the welcome dance by St Jude’s High School students, followed by welcome speech by Sr Dominica and lighting of the lamp by Sr Seema, the director of JK, Fr Lancy Pinto, manager of JK and parish priest, Sr Natty, the chief guest and 4 girls from different schools.

 

The Theme of the day was ‘Zero Garbage.’ Five Schools took part in this competition. Fr Lancy announced the winners – 1stprize won by Shivaji Vidalaya School, 2nd prize by Prem Chaya Zone girls and 3rd prize by Oxford School. St Jude’s High School and Eden High School won the consolation prizes.

 

A dance was performed on Save Girl Child. Three SSC toppers of 2015 were felicitated along with their mothers. They are Chaya Tawade (a girl from very poor financial back ground) from Shivaji Vidyalaya School who scored 93 percent and Rachael Anne Fernandes – 87 percent from St John’s the Evangelist High School, Marol, Andheri (East) and Hansie Cordeiro – 86 percent from St Jude’s High School, Jerimeri.

 

The chief guest spoke on the importance of Zero Garbage. The motive behind conducting this programme was to link environment and girls as wealth is to show importance of sustenance of both, for a better future. Like how we cannot survive without a woman, we also cannot survive without a good environment. If a girl is empowered, a family’s future is brightened, if the environment is made pure, the globe’s future is brightened.

 

The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by Sr Dominica followed by National Anthem.

 

Snacks and gifts were distributed to all the girls.