November 2008, at the Institute Campus. In total, 80 community volunteers graduated, all of them being young girls and women who came from 44 villages of Dhar, Jhabua, Alirajpur, Dewas, Indore, Khargone, Sehore and Badwani districts of Madhya Pradesh. The Chief guest of the programme, Mr. Mahendra Joshi, congratulated the trainees and said that training the women have received has given them the capacity and self-confidence to apply these new skills in raising awareness among others in their own families and villages on their return to their villages. Whether the young women encourage cleanliness among other villagers, or use their cutting and tailoring skills to start their own business, Mr. Joshi noted that Barli has enabled them to become agents of social change. Dr. (Mrs.) Shirin Mahalati, Member of Board of Directors of the Institute presiding over the function further added that education is only complete when it is used for holistic development, as it is being done at the Institute. She said that the Institute is endowing the girls with practical knowledge that would benefit them for years to come. Dr. Mahalati said that one of the most important element of training is that the girls on returning to their communities and use their knowledge to enhance the lives of others. The Deputy Director of the Institute, Anjum Sood, welcomed the guests and gave an introduction of the Institute, stating that Barli provides two types of training: one 6-month community development course and a one-year grass-root training programme. The training programmes encompass a variety of subjects including health, literacy, personality development, gardening, cutting, and tailoring. All of the training is practical so that they can use their skills for both family and community development. The purpose of the training is not only for economic development of the individual trainees, but true education is endowing them with spiritual qualities, and along with transforming their individual lives, working towards the transformation of their families, their communities and thus bringing about sustained development. During the ceremony program, some of the trainees recalled their experiences at Barli in front of all the guests and beamed with confidence. A trainee from Alirajpur, Sangeeta Chouhan, shared her story of coming to the Institute illiterate, and leaving with the ability to read and write. Pooja Rathode, from Khargone district, was showing the guest some items of clothing she had made and spoke of the different kinds of stitches involved. Pooja told the audience that the training she has received on a sewing machine will enable her to make a variety of clothes for her family. Lastly, Pooja hopes that she and the girls will succeed in the Open School Examinations that they have recently taken. Kavita Pawar, from Badhwani shared her experiences of one-year grass-root training programme. Kiran Chouhan, from Khargone district commented on the use of solar energy at the institute. Anjula Kirade, from Badhwani highlighted the importance of children's education. Gajari, from Alirajpur spoke on the importance of cleanliness. Neha and Gajari performed songs on health and literacy and a tribal dance was performed by Jhapari and her friends. Trainees were presented certificates on the occasion.The programme was conducted by Programme Officer Dhedi Bagdhare, and Archana Margonwar ended with a vote of thanks. |
| On 20th November 2008 Barli Development Institute for Rural Women held it's 95th Graduation Ceremony |
