Padma Shri Phoolbasan Bai Yadav, born into a socially-backward poor family in Chhattisgarh State, called upon students to raise their voice against injustice and oppression meted out to women in many parts of the country.
Ms. Phoolbasan Bai, a social activist who works to create awareness on child marriages and women empowerment, was felicitated by RBVRR Women’s College here on Thursday as part of International Women’s Day celebrations. Founder of Maa Bamleshwari Janhit Kare Samiti, an NGO, Ms. Phoolbasan Bai shared her life story with the students. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, she said though she had faced several hardships and was married off at the age of 10 years, she vowed not only to improve her situation, but that of all such families living around her.
She said through her organisation, she fought against all odds to free communities from corruption, dowry, caste discrimination, deadly diseases and several social and cultural evils, and formed self help groups to mobilise women.
Today, the NGO with a strength of two lakh members works for promoting health, education and sanitation and has presence all across Chhattisgarh. The organisation has also campaigned successfully against consumption of liquor and female foeticide.
Professor K. Muthyam Reddy, who presided over the function, said that the society needed women crusaders like Ms. Phoolbasan Bai. Secretary-cum-correspondent G. Sudharshan Reddy and principal K. Sharada also spoke.
