25-07-2008 : Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
The ladies from the Nai Disha of Alwar who have recently returned from New York after attending the event Mission Sanitation jointly organised by the NGO Section of Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and Sulabh International Social Service Organization for the High Level Segment of ECOSOC in observance of the International Year of Sanitation '08 met the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. The ladies had also called-on the President before leaving for New York.
Emancipated women scavengers, attended the special session besides staging catwalk with prominent models before the representatives of more than 150 countries at UN headquarters in New York, recently.
Usha Chaumar the elected president of the Sulabh Sanitation Mission Foundation who was crowned at the New York show was also present. Many of the ladies narrated their experiences about life as scavangers and also about the their journey and stay in New York. The experience has given them confidence to move ahead with their lives.
Congratulating Sulabh International Social Organisation and Nai Disha, the President said that Gandhiji always wanted the stain of untouchability to be removed from society. The issue of untouchability was close to his heart. Smt. Patil said the evil of untouchability creates divisions in society and is not good for a peaceful society and for socially inclusive growth. She urged social organisations to work for eliminating social evils still existing in our society such as child marriage, dowry and addiction to liquor by men folk. The President said there was a need to have more social workers in this area.
The President praised the Alwar Model of Nai Disha and said it is an example as it has created to a ray of hope for others. She thanked Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of Sulabh International for bringing about a mental revolution which has given socially disadvantaged groups self esteem and confidence. It is only when more such work brings success, then it can be said that Mahatma Gandhi's dream has come true. The efforts of social organisations such as Sulabh are creating new history, Smt. Patil added.
This release issued at 1930 hrs.
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