Women's organisations in the city, Progressive Organisation for Women (POW) and Dalit Sthree Sakthi (DSS) observed the ‘International Working Women Struggle Day' here on Thursday by taking out rallies and holding meetings to mark the occasion.
The POW took out a huge rally from the local RTC complex through the main thoroughfares of the city. The women activists shouted slogans against the state government and the excise department denouncing them for promoting liquor business on a massive scale. POW state vice-president M. Lakshmi said that the actions of the state government in promoting liquor sale as a commercial activity violated the Directive Principles and Article 47 of the Constitution. She said the government was turning a blind eye to increasing attacks on women and mindless violence being perpetuated on them by those addicted to liquor. No government was evincing interest in regulating the liquor trade. Later, an effigy of ‘liquor vice' was burnt by women. POW district leaders K. Balanagamma, S. Venkatalakshmi, Indira, Sailaja, Nirmala, and Kanaka Mahalakshmi participated. At a separate meeting organised by Dalit Sthree Sakthi, its state convenor Jhansi Geddam asked women to gear up on the lines of freedom fighter Jhansi Lakshmi Bhai to fight for the realisation of equality of working women and their wages with their male counterparts and also for a society free from discrimination on the basis of sex. Andhra University professor Bobby Vardhan observed that women's quota bill could not be passed in Parliament despite women occupying the top posts of President of India and Speaker of Parliament.
Women's Day was celebrated at various government offices and by different organisations all over the city.
AAI
A blood donation camp was organised by ‘Kalyanmayee', the AAI Women's Welfare Association, at the Airport to mark the occasion. The camp, organised in association with the Indian Red Cross Society and A.S. Raja Blood Bank, was inaugurated by the Airport Director K. Srinivasa Rao. Employees of AAI, Central Industrial Security Force, airline companies, agencies working at the airport and some passengers donated blood voluntarily.
Zee Telugu
Former MLA Pinninti Varalakshmi appealed to all sections in society to cooperate for the development of women on par with men. She was speaking at a meeting organised at the Visakhapatnam Public Library. Noted gynaecologist R. Sashiprabha, Pinninti Varalakshmi, social activist Guduru Seethamahalakshmi and a teacher Gullibilli Sailaja were felicitated by Zee-Mahila on the occasion. TDP Mahila president Annareddy Vani attended.
INOX Varun Beach
K. Ganesh Babu, unit manager, said INOX was constantly looking at ways and means to make the movie-going experience more interesting at a programme organised on the occasion.
Maharshi Foundation
Vice-principal of Andhra Medical College N.N. Raju emphasised on the indispensable role of women in society. He advised women to do regular exercise such as yoga or a brisk walk. Maharshi Foundation is offering free tele-counselling services for women. They can call on phone number (0891) 2724347 or 2525723 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any working day.
VPT
Women employees of Visakhapatnam Port Trust celebrated the day at the Sambamurthy Conference Hall at the Administrative Office Building. Deputy Civil Surgeon of AP Vaidya Vidhan Parishad Uma Devi Kallam, who participated as chief guest, emphasised on the importance of empowerment of rural women and eradication of poverty and hunger. Vice President of Sarada Mahila Samajam of VPT G. Sheela Satya Kumar called for a more positive outlook towards women and their role in society. VPT Chairman Ajay Kallam said apart from rights one should also think of duties and performing them in the best manner. Senior Medical Officer of VPT Radha Srinivas spoke.
HSL
Hindustan Shipyard Officer's Association Chairman and Managing Director N.K. Mishra participated in the celebrations and extended his greetings to the women officers and staff.
