The Uttarakhand governor Baby Rani Maurya inaugurated a Sari Bank initiative on the occasion of International Women’s Day to make the Saris available to needy women across the State. An event was organised on Monday in Raj Bhawan to felicitate female Covid warriors who contributed through their services during the Covid-19 pandemic last year. The governor felicitated 51 female Covid warriors including sanitation workers, police constables and health workers besides various women associated with Self Help Groups (SHGs). Some Covid warriors also shared the experiences they had during the lockdown last year.
One of the sanitation workers, Rani, shared her experience stating that they used to sweep roads and drains in the hot summer while all the people stayed inside their homes during the lockdown. “Even when we stood under the shade of somebody’s home for two minutes, they used to scold us. Many even refused to give us water in those days due to Covid-19,” stated Rani who broke into tears while sharing her experience.
Moreover, one of the female constables also stated how people were approaching day and night for various matters including unavailability of ration, cooked food, travelling issues and during medical emergencies which they provided during the lockdown. Geeta Maurya from a self-help group also stated how she started making cotton masks and distributed them among labourers, street vendors and beggars when the prices of masks doubled during the lockdown. She said that she also provided virtual training on making cotton masks to the women of Tehri district during the lockdown. On hearing the experiences of Covid warriors, the governor said that these experiences tell us how these women stood with the needy and helped them in such critical times. “I invited these women on this occasion because they work at the ground level with common people and form the foundation of their respective departments and organisations,” said Maurya.
The governor also launched a Sari Bank initiative for the needy women. Initially, two to three banks would be opened in Dehradun district with the help of three groups that belong to three different states. Preeti Singh who belongs to one of the groups stated that people can use digital platforms like Facebook, Twitter and their website to donate Saris. “The banks will operate in Dehradun only and then we will take this initiative to other parts of the State too,” added Singh.
Tuesday, 09 March 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
