SUNNYVALE, CA: Shantakka, the head of Rashtra Sevika Samiti, who was here on the first leg of her visit to the United States of America, rejects the notion that somebody needs to empower women. She declares, “Women are inherently empowered. What is needed is to realize and recognize this”. She was addressing the Indian women leaders of Silicon Valley at a dinner organized as part of International Women’s Day celebrations.
Rasthra Sevika Samiti, an all women’s voluntary organization, of which she is the current head, has over 6050 chapters in India and runs over 810 service projects including primary health-care centers, rehabilitation centers, hostels for under-privileged children and self help groups, many of them in far off rural and tribal areas.
She held discussions and spoke at different events in the San Francisco Bay Area including at the San Jose State University. She met with the leaders of local non-profit organizations working in the field of women and child development; had dinner with women leaders of Silicon Valley and attended a public event organized by the Indian community. She also interacted with second generation Hindu teenagers born and brought up in America. Her visit to the USA was organized by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA.
Speaking at the public event organized by the Indian community, she stressed on retaining the Hindu identity among Diaspora families. She said it was essential for Hindu families to raise their children with Hindu values of Seva (service). The Hindu principle of “Seeing god in everything” can be taught to children only if they are encouraged to volunteer and serve the needy. She called upon Indians living in America to bring fame to both India, their “Dharma Bhoomi” as well as America, their “Karma Bhoomi” through their actions and their contributions to different fields they work in.
She said that courageous and selfless women leaders like Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Ahilyabai Holkar and Jija Mata were role models for Indian women. Indian culture could withstand foreign aggression and colonial rule because women played a pivotal role in protecting, propagating and carrying it forward through generations. She said that her organization was working towards organizing women in India and inspiring them to be leaders and agents of change in the society.
A brief introduction of Shantakka
Rashtra Sevika Samiti, an all women organization, was founded in India in 1936, to instill the values of nationalism and character in women. Since then it has grown to every nook and corner of India with over 6050 chapters in the country and over a hundred and fifty thousand dedicated members of all ages and walks of life. Over the last 80 years, it has strived to inspire Indian women to be the agents of change and well-being, and to work selflessly for society in different spheres of life.
Today, it runs over 810 service projects across India including primary health-care centers, rehabilitation centers, hostels for under-privileged children and self help groups, many of them in far off rural and tribal areas. It has been specially lauded for its rehabilitation efforts during calamities like earthquake, cloud bursting, Tsunami etc.
Shantakka was born and brought up in Bangalore, Karnataka. In 1995, after years of working as a teacher, she decided to dedicate her full-time to the mission of Rashtra Sevika Samiti. In her different capacities she has led and inspired numerous women leaders and also initiatives like ‘Medhavini
Mandali’ – a forum for women intellectuals, free hostels for girls across India and ‘Kutumb Parivar’ –
an initiative to strengthen families. Notably, in 2001, when the Southern Indian coast of Tamil Nadu was hit by the devastating Tsunami, Shantakka led a team of 20 women, mostly college students, that worked on the ground, round the clock for many days, to sort decaying dead bodies and provide medical facilities, food, clothing and rehabilitation to the survivors.
Recently she led an initiative named DISHA with an endeavor to create a platform for young women in India for providing support and guidance and engaging them in community service. She has traveled extensively across India and countries like USA, Guyana and Trinidad and guided leaders, community workers and families.
India Post News Service
