by Fr Mayank Parmar for BIS Mumbai

On March 9, 2025, the Kawant Health Office and DISHA Don Bosco, Kawant, came together to celebrate International Women’s Day and Arogya Chetna Utsav. The event took place at Don Bosco Campus, Kawant, bringing together over 320 women from the rural areas of the Kawant block.

The celebration was hosted by DISHA Don Bosco, Kawant, with several distinguished guests gracing the occasion. The chief guest was Mr Milan Rathwa, the President of Kawant Taluka, while the guest of honor was Mr Bhareshbhai Rathwa, the Vice President of Kawant Taluka. The event was also attended by Dr Jignesh Prajapati, the Block Health Officer, along with Fr Mayank Parmar (Rector and Director of DISHA Don Bosco), Fr Ajay Shelke (Principal), and Fr Shaun D’Lima (Administrator).

The celebration featured several key activities, including an informative session as part of Arogya Chetna Utsav, a free medical health camp, and a variety of fete games and cultural programs to mark International Women’s Day.

Fr Mayank Parmar opened the event by warmly welcoming the gathering. In his speech, he emphasized the significance of the day, acknowledging the vital role of women in society and the importance of celebrating their contributions. He also highlighted the dual nature of the celebration, merging health awareness with the empowerment of women. Mr. Milan Rathwa encouraged the women present to actively participate in such events, recognizing their importance in fostering community well-being and social development.

The first session focused on health awareness, where Mr. Ranchod Rathwa, a medical officer, engaged the audience through dayro, a form of local folk storytelling. This interactive method made it easier for the women to understand key health messages. Additionally, health experts including Dr Purvisha Pandiya (Medical Officer, Khatiyavant PHC), Dr Jyoti Rathwa (Health Supervisor, Motikadai PHC), and Dr Rucha Pandhya (Health Officer, Saidvasan PHC) delivered insightful sessions. They spoke on ways to reduce child and maternal mortality rates and raised awareness about sickle cell disease, emphasizing its harmful impact on families. A free medical health camp was also organized as part of the event, benefiting over 150 women. The health officers from various Primary Health Centers (PHCs), along with Dr Bharat Rathwa from Panvad, conducted medical check-ups. Patients received free medicines, ensuring they had access to necessary healthcare services.

Another exciting part of the event was the fete games, coordinated by Br Veenus in collaboration with students from Standard 9 who reside in the boarding school. A total of 20 games were set up, and women participated enthusiastically, winning numerous prize coupons. The response was so overwhelming that by the end of the event, all prizes had been claimed.

The day’s celebration also included vibrant cultural performances by the women. They showcased traditional timli dances, bhajans, marriage songs, women empowerment songs, and the lively Rathwi dance. These performances added joy and a sense of cultural pride to the event, making it a memorable experience for everyone involved.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Fr Mayank Parmar, who expressed gratitude to all participants, guests, and organizers. Special appreciation was given to the DISHA Development team, whose efforts ensured the smooth execution of the event. The celebration of International Women’s Day and Arogya Chetna Utsav at DISHA Don Bosco, Kawant, was a great success, providing a platform for women to learn, express themselves, and celebrate their strength and resilience.