All for women

He says his movement followed an intuitive sign from his SaneGuruji. “We see atrocities on women everywhere,even among the rich but we choose to be quiet about it… They are being treated inferior to men in one way or the other; but we go about our daily lives as if nothing happens. Rather everyone should be a guardian of the society.”

Daughter Asha Kulkarni,59,who helps him in his efforts,is also a member of the organisation devoted to the cause of uplift of masses,especially women,and to eradication of dowry through social revolution. The movement operates through street plays,drawing competitions,debates and the like.

For Asha,it was just an extension of what she would do as a girl scout in her school. “I remember when we were children,everyday the teacher would ask what was your good deed for the day and so we would either help our maid’s child study or help a person cross the road. Joining my father after graduation was just a bigger step for me.”

She feels the concept of a good deed a day is lost nowadays. “Or else,we would have found more young volunteers.” Now after working with the movement for over 25 years,she feels her work is never enough. “Once I read a news item of a young Muslim girl who had been harassed by her in-laws,but the police did not register her complaint. She was admitted to a hospital. I went to her and took the case to the Home Minister after much advice and guidance. The action followed… These are some cases where we do not get direct complaints but we act on our own,so it becomes important to keep an eye on even random cases of harassment.”

She says her first aim is to increase awareness about atrocities on women and dowry issues. “Usually in small towns and cities,we find volunteers who help us in our activities. But as we move towards larger populations,this help is difficult to come by.”

Kulkarni agrees. “Earlier,people had time for social responsibilities and the common good but today with such high profile corporate lifestyle they rarely have time for even their own family members.”

Ask him if he has any message for women,he says,“I want to tell women that you can have the world you want but you should fight for it. Once a medical student came to me and said she was the oldest in a family that did not have an earning member. Her mother was forcing her to marry while she wanted to support the family,which includes a brother and sister. I advised her that she doesn’t have to be adamant about not marrying; instead she should look for a partner who will allow her to do what she wants.”

The organisation has 20 full-time members while a number of volunteers keep it going at various places in the state. It has done well in smaller districts and towns,but has found little volunteers in Mumbai. “Here,everybody is busy living their lives and they do not have time for any social resonsilbility. Even if youths are asked to participate in awareness activities,their first interest is in awards that they could win.”

Kulkarni,who turns a year older today,has a birthday wish — the organisation and women of India should prosper.