JCI Mangalore Felicitates Four Achievers on Women’s Day
Mangaluru: Junior Chamber International (JCI) Mangalore in association with Centre for women and Gender Studies, Canara College jointly celebrated the women’s day at the college auditorium here on March 15.
The programme began with an invocation. Prof Seema Prabhu S welcomed the gathering. President of JCI Shailaja delivered the keynote address.
President of KCCI Vatika Pai was introduced to the gathering by Mamatha Prajapathi. Addressing the gathering Vatika Pai said, “When we were studying we did not have more options but now you have many options. The society now is changing in all aspects. Women now are educated but do not get opportunities due to lack of funds or other reasons. Entrepreneurship is an interesting journey but has risks. It is interesting to be your own boss but the responsibilities are more. As students, you should be ready to accept challenges. You have the option to be either entrepreneur or choose to work in reputed companies. In the travel industry we should be travel enthusiasts, need to have empathy and be service minded. The present generation now has ample of opportunities. The future is yours, you need to decide whatever is best for your life and what you want to be in life.”
Founder of Parivarthan Charitable Trust and proprietor of Mangalorean.com Violet Pereira was introduced by Likitha. Violet interacted with the students about the activities of the Parivarthan Charitable trust, the hurdles she faced and the criticism.
Shilpa who is a home-maker turned entrepreneur was introduced by Bindiya. Narrating her story, Shilpa said, “Due to some circumstances I was unable to continue my education and had to give up when I was in 10th standard. I was born in an agriculturist family, I have a younger brother. We both had grown up with special care. I was married to Rajshekar who is a businessman. In 2005 we moved to Mangaluru along with our three-and-half-year-old son. As days passed by I insisted my brother to come and stay with me in Mangaluru, my parents too moved to Mangaluru. From my childhood, I was very much interested in cooking. In 2008, my husband left to Bengaluru on an official work, since then he has been missing. His mobile was switched off and there was no any clue of him. We had filed a missing person complaint in the police station but nothing happened. Unable to find Rajshekar I fell into depression, Rajshekar’s parents too fell sick. I was finding it difficult to pay the rent. I had no friends in Mangaluru, my brother stopped going to school and started to work to support me.”
Shilpa further said, “When the expenses were increasing I was forced to take up a job. I joined a computer shop where I was earning only Rs 1500 which was not enough to run the family. Later I joined a beauty parlour where I was earning Rs 6000. When I was working, a thought of starting a fast food outlet flashed my mind and I started searching for a shop. But the rent was too high which I couldn’t afford. One fine day I withdrew the money which I had saved as a fix deposited for my son’s future and bought a Mahindra Bolero pick-up to start my food outlet. In the beginning, I was making only Rs 300 a day which was not enough to pay the vehicle loan. I reduced my house expenses and concentrated on the business where my income gradually increased. Now I make Rs 3000 to Rs 7000 a day. I have struggled a lot in life to reach where I am today.”
Radhika who is a homemaker turned entrepreneur speaking on the occasion said, “If one faces difficulties, never give up and you will surely succeed in life”. She narrated her plight and her success story on the occasion.
Vatika Pai, Violet Pereira, Shilpa and Radhika were felicitated by JCI on the occasion.
JC Member Shwetha Jain delivered the vote of thanks. Prof Dhanya from Canara College compered the programme.