Issue 57 February - 2014 Daughters of Mary Immaculate and Collaborators

GLOBALIZATION AND ECLIPSE OF WOMEN’S SOCIAL INDENTITY

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of

women in the past, present and in the future. Although women perform two-thirds of world’s work they still

face discrimination in education, employment and social identity. So the question looms in the air: Would

World women’s day on 8th of March 2014, wake up to see the eclipsing social identity of women in India and

around the world, as a result of new roles, conflicting values brought by so called globalization and capitalism?

This editorial is an eye opener to the current scenario of identity crisis of working women-folk.

As we know that one of the striking consequences of globalization has been feminization of labour,

thereby, distortion of women’s social identity in the society. Due to globalization women are shifting to new

role identities from relational mother to that of provider (traditionally attributed to men). Obviously, one’s self

identity is derived from gender, race and nationality in conjunction with the urbanization and individuality.

With emergence of globalization in developing countries like India the traditional social values and ideals are

challenged by new competing values and ideals. Thus an attempt to integrate new values and identities with

traditional societal values and expectations paves way for direct conflict. This is a critical obstacle to accept the

new role and identity of women in developing and developed countries.

Big businesses in developing and developed countries have afforded women employment

opportunity, striking financial equality with men, greater autonomy and freedom for personality development.

However, in a subtle fashion the women are viewed as easy prey to cheaper wages, greater efficiency as

workers, agents of feminization of labour, tractable and subservient to managerial authority, less prone to

organize unions and more willing to accept lower wages and easier to dismiss using life cycle criteria such as

marriage and child birth.

One of the biggest contradictions in Indian society today is that the ideals of womanhood have not been

transformed to include the modern woman. Though the husbands, children and whole household become more

and more dependent on “woman’s income” (wives) but they are not prepared to alter the traditional value

system so as to recognize the new role and identity the women (wives) are undertaking. Ideal womanhood for

most part is still embodied in a role related to, marriage, childbearing, moral mother and responsible for

domestic sphere.

As a consequence the women are trapped in a double blind but they continue to struggle between

economical responsibility towards family as an income generator while being tractable and subservient in

working environment and as traditional mother fulfilling the domestic role in the family whose economic role is

viewed as expansion of her domestic role by husbands and in-laws of the family. Would the celebration of

women’s day recognise the metamorphous-experience and yearning of women for new identity and recognition

in the family and in the society?

DMI Development Mission

Issue 57 February - 2014

Issue 57 February - 2014

Right to Health is one of the fundamental Rights of every citizen of our country. To achieve this

end, a common, collaborative effort is inevitable for the formulation, promulgation,

implementation and evaluation of all the health care and social policies. To this end the Rally

was organized with the blessings and guidance of DMI and MMI Founder & Director

Rev. Fr. J. E. Arul Raj, DMI Tamilnadu Women Federation organized a rally on 26th February

2014 which was flagged off by the worshipful Chennai Mayor Saidai Duraisamy. Besides the

rally they were other effort to disseminate information to the public and as well to the

concerned authority are as follow:

Signature Campaign held in 9 DMI working Districts in Tamil Nadu. More than 4000 women of DMI Tamilnadu Federation ( as a forum) marching from

Rajarathinam Stadium to Tamilnadu Government Secretariat.

Fitting slogans were raised with one voice and one concern

Held banners and pluck cards Submission of memorandum to concerned authority for quick action

According to the federation declaration to work on “Right to Health Act” following

demands were placed

DEMANDS

Enactment of Right to Health Act ensuring Health care as a Right for all Ensuring quality of medical services in all the Government Hospitals

Ensure all women and children are covered under free Medical Insurance

The advertisements for hospitals and medicines should be banned Revisit and revise the State Health Policy appropriately

Issue 57 February - 2014

Ecology Day was observed in Maniyakudam villages and in R.K. Pet of Thiruvallur District on

2nd February, 2014. In Maniyakudam village the day was inaugurated the with a relevant

message on importance and protection of our Mother Earth. Having inspired by the talk, the

participants planted saplings around the temple and also assured that they would plant trees at

home and in their fields. In R.K. Pet, Mr. Kumar the councilor of the block addressed the

participants on the importance of environment followed by Mr. Devaraj the president of

Thamanery, highlighted about protecting the ecology for the survival of the humanity in return.

They were around 247 people to witness the event.

Two of our SHG from Thirusulam Velicham and Sriperumbathur block from Kancheepuram

District received “Manimegalai award” from district collector on 7th February-2014. The

collector gave the award which encloses a cheque of Rs. 25,000/- and a certificate to the groups.

Issue 57 February - 2014

On 13th February 2014 the PLF leaders of The-

rikkunadu in Salem District gathered all SHGs to

clean up the place around Mariyamman Temple.

The villagers were appreciative of the collec-

tive effort of the women and assured they would

follow the example in the future.

Environmental rally was organized on 13th February 2014 with a special participation of school

children and SHG members in Poonamallee block in Thiruvallur District. The same was

organized at Athippattu on 25th February 2014 in which more than 100 students participated.

Issue 57 February - 2014

The staff and students from Department of Social Work, Loyola College. Nungambakkam

organized programme for parliament children on 15th February-2014. 25 children from DMI

Children Parliament, Thirusulam in Kancheepuram District performed cultural programme.

Sports competition was held and the winners were awarded with prizes.12 prizes were won by

DMI Children Parliament

With DMIs continuous motivation and encouragement, 48 SHG members from DMI were

employed in 12 different canteens run by the Government (Amma canteen) through which they

are in a position to lead a sustainable livelihood with monthly remuneration of Rs. 9000/- .

“ Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”

Dr.Martin Luther King. Jr.

Issue 57 February - 2014

Vellikatti PLF members from Sivagangai District

gave petition to Mr.Palanisamy MLA about

transport facility, where their petition was

considered and they received the transport

facility in their Panchayat.

On 6th February 2014 DMI Danapur, along with the staff organized the RTE rally involving in

all the NFE centers. The children parliament students from Danapur Block marched on the

road raising slogans on the importance of education. They were around 155 children in the ral-

ly.

Issue 57 February - 2014

Your 56th edition of Light to life was good

and attractive. Especially Person With disabled

activities was inspiring to us.

All the best for DMI work.

Sr.D.Sumathi DMI,

Chennai

Dear sisters & Staff

Greetings

Good issue and lot of information’s

By

Sr.Julie,

Amala Bhavan

Dear Sr. Baby and her team,

Prayerful wishes I went through the magazine light to life, I amazed to see the good work

done by you among the poor. You are truly and vibrantly proclaiming the word of God

through your mission. I appreciate and congratulate for your good work. I, in a special way

pray for you and for the development of your mission in coming days.

With love & prayers

Sr.Selvi

Rome

Issue 57 February - 2014

CONGRATS

We appreciate all the readers who take time out to read our little

efforts that we put together every month, for writing to us your

feedback and for your participation in this section of the magazine.

The answer for the previous puzzle is Letika Saran IPS.

The readers who got the answer right are:

Sr. L. Arul Seeli DMI –Amala Bhavan, Sr.Julie -Amala Bhavan,

Sr.Selvi -Rome, Sr.A.Sahayam –Valikandapuram, Sr.Philo –

Shenbaganur, Sr.Catherine, Sr.Lilly, Sr.Sunitha, Sr.Subitha

Mrs.Kanimozhi –poonamallee, Sr.P.Alanagaram– Kuppam.

She is a feminist write who has worked mainly in the field of

feminist economics. In 2006 she was awarded the Padma Bhu-

san, the third highest civilian award from Government of India

for her contribution to social justice and women empow-

erment . She was founder of the Institute of Social Studies

Trust (ISST) in new Delhi and served as director until 1994.She

has also worked in the field of women’s employment and edited

the book Indian Women for Indian’s International Women’s

Year. She was also a member of the Advisory Panel set up by the

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to advise

on the preparation of the 1997 Human Development report on

poverty and for 2002 Report on Governance. She was a Peace of

the UN as a member of the Eminent Persons Group of the

Grace Machel Study Group appointed by the UN to study the

Impact of Armed Conflict on Children.

WHO IS SHE?

Our question to ‘Light to Life’ readers is to identify the name of the person in the above picture

and send it to dmisociety@gmail.com, your answer will be expected on or before the

20th of March, 2014.

Issue 57 February - 2014

DATE EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

04.03.2014

World Day of the Fight Against Sexual

Exploitation

In order to understand the scope of this situation, to draw attention

to it and to share national experiences to confront the crimes of

human trafficking, an International Day of Action Against Sexual

Exploitation was first held in Paris on March 4, 2009.

08.03.2014

International Women's Day

A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all

around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences,

government activities and networking events, through to local women's

craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more. Let us

not loose track of the significance of the day.

15.03.2014 World Consumer Rights Day

World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) is an opportunity for

promoting the basic rights of all consumers, demanding that those

rights are respected and protected and protesting about the market

abuses and social injustices which undermine them. Learn and act

according to Consumer Protection Act 1986.

21.03.2014 International Day for the Elim-

ination of Racial Dis-

crimination

This year, celebrations will be marked by two major events in the

framework of the International Coalition of Cities against Racism,

an initiative launched by UNESCO in March 2004 to establish a

network of cities interested in sharing experiences in order to

improve their policies to fight racism, discrimination, xenophobia

and exclusion.

21.03.2014 World Forestry Day

World Forestry Day has been celebrated around the world for over

30 years now to remind communities of the importance of forests

and the many benefits which we gain from them. The concept of

having a World Forestry Day originated at the 23rd General

Assembly of the European Confederation of Agriculture in 1971.

22.02.2014 World Day of Water

The Year will highlight the history of successful water cooperation

initiatives, as well as identify burning issues on water education,

water diplomacy, transboundary water management, financing

cooperation, national/international legal frameworks, and the

linkages with the Millennium Development Goals.

23.03.2014 Martyrdom of Bhagat Singh

An Indian nationalist considered to be one of the most influential

revolutionaries of the Indian Independence movement. He was

convicted and subsequently hanged at the age of 23 for his

participation in the murder. His legacy prompted youth in India to

begin fighting for Indian independence and he continues to be a

youth idol in modern India, as well as the inspiration for several

24.03.2014 World Tuberculosis Day

Each year is designed to build public awareness about the global

epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease. Today

tuberculosis causes the deaths of about 1.7 million people each year,

March 24 commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch

had discovered the cause of tuberculosis

Published by, DMI Development Mission

Amala Bhavan, Rudra Road, St.Thomas Mount, Chennai -600 016

Important Days in March-2014