The power of nine

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The power of nine

They are nine dreamers. They are nine doers. They are the nine navjyotis - a name that is synonymous with courage and inspiration. UNICEF recognises these navjyotis who have despite all odds in their rural settings have triumphed.

CJ: Maulik Chandarana

Tue, Nov 03, 2009 11:03:05 IST

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Maharastra News :

IT HAS been five years since The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Maharashtra, India, began the concept of recognising nine girls every year from the interiors of the state of Maharashtra. Each of the girls is a story in herself. Each one is a navjyoti or a new light, as it reads literally. They, despite 62 years of independence, are struggling and yet, are aspiring to break free from the struggle. With eyes set on the new world, they break barriers and crusade towards achieving not only for themselves but also their communities and their societies. In the truest sense, these are girls that mark the growth of the girl child – a cause very dear to UNICEF’s heart.

This year the Navjyoti Awards were given out on October 28, 2009. In a fine ceremony, that saw the glitterati as well as renowned academicians and of course, the UNICEF and Doordarshan Sahyadri family, nine tales of courage, of inspiration and of sacrifice stood out. Moist eyes were evidence to this. This honour aims to encourage the girls to move on and continue on their path of achievement.

Manjula Madvi from the Naxal-infested area of Chandrapur is a story that is a shining example of how the girl child has been empowered. She stopped a child marriage in her village and when she too was forced to get marry, this 18-year old bravely faced her father and refused to get married. In fact, she boldly told her father that she was 18 and he had no right to hit her or force her.

Sunita’s stepmother did not want her to study as it would mean a loss of wages and affect housework. She used to complete her chores and then go to school. But her parents insisted on earning her own fees. She did that. But seeing her brothers couldn’t study due to financial constraints; in a bold step, Sunita stopped her own education. She left school and worked for two years to pay for their education, and then decided to complete SSC herself.

These inspiring tales of strong resolve and struggle despite obstacles were lauded. What made more impact were the specially created AV-clips that gave a glimpse into their worlds and their challenges.

Gopi Menon, head, UNICEF’s Maharashtra office said, “These girls are leaders in the truest sense and definitely an inspiration.” He further elaborated the many facts and figures that brought out how much more needs to be done for the girl child and that every small step taken to empower girls is a milestone in itself.

Rasika Hajare, is a girl who was despised by society and yet continued to work with her youth club that she established. This youth club she started was to promote causes of awareness about social issues and diseases. She also pushed her village towards adopting no-wine resolution despite threats to kill her from local wine owners.

Indeed then, it comes as no surprise that one of the celebrity guests said, “Mere desh ki dharti ugale here moti…..these are the here-moti (my country’s soil yields diamonds and pearls and it is these girls who are the real diamonds and pearls).

List of navjyotis

Name	Place
Baby Saroja pandurang Mitkari	Latur
Pawara Sunita	Nandurbar
Pragati Narsing Valvi	Nandurbar
Vrinda Dhurve	Yavatmal
Rasika Ranchandra Hajare	Chandrapur
Manjula Shamrao Madvi	Chandrapur
Megha Sharma	Mumbai
Punyarath Gangadhar Aulre	Nanded
Swati Sandesh Kharat	Mumbai

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