Four Himachalis get awards for bravery

Twelve years back, when Saroj realised how social restrictions among women in the Gaddi community result in illiteracy...

Twelve years back, when Saroj realised how social restrictions among women in the Gaddi community result in illiteracy, long-term financial dependence and misery for the family once the husband is dead, she set up a self-help society to impart vocational skills to tribal women.

As she brought to life the idea given by a French woman, Isabelle Pompignat Mahendroo, the concept of self-reliance initially seemed too hard to click among the women of the tribal community in villages in the vicinity of Dharamshala. However, she initiated a food processing business from her home in Bhagsunag with the help of three girls and funding from donors for Gaddi Women Self-Help Society.

Over 12 years, the society has helped nearly 50 Gaddi women of Dharamkot, Bhagsu, Naddi and Baal villages to learn food processing, computers and stitching skills, which help them earn nearly Rs 700 as salary from the society and additional income from independent work.

Being a tourist destination, Dharamshala attracts several foreigners and the peanut butter, tofu and jams made by the women of the society is a hit among the restaurants and local stores. Saroj was today awarded the Gold Medal of the Godfrey Phillips Bravery Award for her perseverance in changing the mindset of Gaddi women, who never considered themselves important outside the home. 8220;I saw the society8217;s first success within first five years when six unmarried girls who had joined us had collected enough money to take care of their marriage expenses. This is where many others realised the importance of financial independence,8221; says Saroj. The society has lately devised new training programmes for women in production, selling, maintaining accounts and writing bills.

The others to receive bravery awards from Himachal Pradesh include Virendra Dutt Sharma, a customs inspector, who was awarded the silver medal for saving lives of 20 passengers on board a bus that got stuck in Sirsa river near Nalagarh as the bridge across the river was damaged.

Kripal Thakur of Una district saved the lives of five persons who were washed away in Swan river. He was awarded a bronze medal by Godfrey Phillips for a social act of courage. Abdul Ghani 53 of Chamba was also awarded a bronze medal for donating blood 156 times and helping poor TB and leprosy patients and orphans.