|
The woman behind the successful man is an oft-heard
saying, but here is the story of women behind a successful
organization.
The Indian Railways is
the largest railway system under one single management. The staff of
the Indian railway thus could make the people of a small nation!
While the men are at work managing this large network of activity, a
railway women’s welfare central organisation has come up to look
after the interest of the families of the railway men. The story of
how this organisation was born is interesting.
The calendar moves
swiftly to the past to 1962. India was facing the Chinese aggression
and the whole country was gearing up to meet this challenge. The
wives of the Railway officers were no exceptions. They came together
and as a unit worked towards collecting funds to support the cause
that the brave jawans were fighting for in the forefront. Once the
war was over, the women who had formed a cohesive group by now were
keen to keep up their unity. They then decided tow work towards
social causes. Beginning with the families of railway board, the
wives of the members of the Board and all the other officers
including those from RITES, IRCON, CONCOR, CRIS and COFMOW are
members of the organisation. The function across the country, under
different divisions and zones with their central office being at the
Railway Bhavan, New Delhi.
The RWWCO runs a Shramika
Kala Kutir in the Railway colony at Sarojini Nagar, New Delhi. This
center is also known as the Crafts Center. Talented wives of railway
men get an opportunity through this to market their handicrafts. They
hand embroider linen and dresses and take orders for making specific
hand crafted items. At another center, women are trained in
embroidery and tailoring. They are taught by professional teachers
and by the end of the course they are equipped to appear for the Usha
Sewing Centre Diploma. At Shramika Kutir Udyog, in Sarojini Nagar
itself, wholesome spices are ground and sold. Their expertise has
grown to such an extent that they even supply the central Government
cooperative, the Kendriya Bhandar. The center has been functioning
for the past twelve years now.
While vocational skills
are being taught, basic literacy is also being promoted amongst the
illiterate ladies of the Group-D employees. The RWWCO is currently
running two adult literacy centers in New Delhi. It also has a
nursery school in Sarojini Nagar. Here little children grow up in a
happy atmosphere encouraged from time to time with celebrations
organized for Republic day, Independence day or teachers day and so
on. The nursery school is called Bal Sadan.
To older children, the
RWWCO gives scholarship and educational assistance annually to
children of lower paid railway employees for pursuing the study of
Engineering, Medical and other academic courses. This gives them an
opportunity to access higher education which may otherwise have been
out of their financial reach.
The RWWCO holds on the
spot drawing and painting competitions for children and awards prizes
on the Women’s day function held on the 19th of
November every year, at New Delhi. It also sponsors such competitions
held at the Rail Museum.
RWWCO is keeping up with
the times by recently inaugurating a Computer training literacy to
its staff as well as their family member. This has gained tremendous
popularity.
It is true that education
is the primary need of the country and while activities that motivate
women and children to learn and develop their self esteem are carried
on one side, equally important is health care. The Railways has one
of the best hospitals in the country, at many of the metros and
smaller cities. In addition, the RWWCO has started a Homeopathic
dispensary and an Ayurvedic dispensary, a facility that is available
to all railway men and their families.
To the cause of spastics
and disabled children, the RWWCO is committed. In collaboration with
the Northern railway Womens Welfare Organisation, it runs a day care
centre. This helps the parents to entrust their child in secure hands
while they go to work. A van picks them up and drops them. While at
the center they are looked after, with doctors readily available on
call.
For the first time, in
the year 1999, the RWWCO organized a sports meet for disabled
children from many prominent institutions participated. The meet was
a tremendous success. This is in addition to the regular sports meet
that the RWWCO organizes for the chidren of its staff members
annually.
Every year the RWWCO
celebrates its annual day when it raises the funds required for all
its welfare activities. Early in the year a meal was organized
bringing in participants from all corners of India making a statement
thus on Unity in Diversity.
The RWWCO does not forget
its commitment to the nation and when-ever need arises comes together
to make a contribution. It also rises to any emergency call to help
victims of accident or unfortunate circumstances.
| 