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Wedded to customs, values

Staff Reporter

BERHAMPUR: Although on the path of emancipation, these women continue to stick to their traditional customs and habits.

Hundreds of members of women Self-Help Groups (SHG) of the city and its suburbs gathered to celebrate the International Women's Day organised under the aegis of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) on Thursday.

They were the ones who had come out of their kitchen to generate income for their families and, at times, sustain their unemployed husbands.

Way of greeting

But, they did not forget to stick to their traditional values. Most of them had their `pallu' on their heads. To the astonishment of the guests, they greeted each of them with `Hulahuli', the traditional ritualistic sound made by women during holy occasions by vibrating the tongue. Some were even seen with their traditional veil on.

Rushikulya Gramya Bank officials distributed loans to some SHGs and individuals at the function. And the beneficiaries did not forget to show their obeisance with traditional `pranam'.

But when asked to speak out they described how they had changed their lives with unity and hard work.

Urmila Sahu of Maa Mangala SHG said emancipation only strengthened family ties and values.

According to her, emancipation never meant getting modern outwardly. Most of the SHG members were of the opinion that by keeping their traditional customs and values intact, they had been able to bring changes in their lives. "These are the values which we have to teach our children. If we lose them, then they will be lost forever," they felt.

The function was attended by Child Development Project Officer Mahini Sahu, Brahmakumari Manju and Additional District Medical Officer (ADMO) U.K. Tripathy.

International Women's Day was also celebrated in the city on ICFAI campus and headquarters of Brahmakumaris. In the evening, the United Minority Forum organised a seminar on `Rights of women of minority community'.

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Wedded to customs, values

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