| Tribal Women Unfurl National Flag at Barli Development Institute for Rural Women on India's 62nd Republic Day |
| Republic Day Celebrations were held at Barli Development Institute for Rural Women, on 26th January 2011 with unfurling the national flag at 9.00 a.m. The flag-unfurling was done by Ms. Sangeeta Dawar of village Badi Begal , district Alirajpur and Ms. Kaushalya Kevat from Badi Kalmer, Indore district. The objective of the unfurling the flag by these young women is to help build their self confidence and empower them. |
| Speaking on the occasion, Dr. (Mrs.) Janak Palta McGilligan, Director of the Institute said, "We are all celebrating the 62nd anniversary of the Republic Day . It was on this historic day. that our own democratic Constitution of independent India was implemented. Republic Day reminds us of the sacrifice of the martyrs. The Constitution of India is a book which includes our fundamental rights as well as our duties. The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi got us freedom through peaceful and non-violent means. The Barli Development Institute is inspired by Baha'i Principles, and according to these principles we should all be loyal to the laws of our country and must obey these laws. What we need in our country is security, peace and unity." |
| The chief guest of the programme, Mr. Omid Seioshanseian, Director of New Era Teacher's Training Institute from Panchgani (Maharashtra) expressed his joy for being in the institute on this National celebration. He said, "I really admire the efforts of the Barli Institute to empower the tribal girls to become literate and self-sufficient. It is important to educate the girl-child because she is the future mother. If a woman is educated then her children and family will also be educated, and the country will progress". |
| The flag unfurling was followed by a cultural programme which included patriotic songs, bhajans and a dance on Bhilali folk songs presented by the trainees. The program was followed by the screening of a film "Ek Unkaha Sach" on life of Dr. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. The trainees were also shown direct telecast of the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. The program was conducted by Deputy director Ms. Tahera Jadhav and vote of thanks was given by trainer at the Institute, Ms. Taru Jamre. The manager of the Institute Mr. Jimmy McGilligan, deputy manager Mr. Yogesh Jadhav and institute's staff members were present on the occasion. More than 125 people participated which included trainees from 42 villages of Dhar, Alirajpur, Indore, Khargone, Burhanpur, Badwani, Khandwa and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh. This was a very special event in the lives of most of these women, since 70 of them had participated in Republic Day Celebrations for the first time, as a majority of them came from very remote areas and had never gone to school. |
