Sushil Kumar Bafana
All India Terapanth Mahila Mandal, a reputed national organisation is a pillar of women’s power, working hard towards the upliftment of the Indian society. The organisation was founded in 1966, and within a short period of almost four decades, it had become a well-known organisation with an identity of its own. This organisation has worked hard for crossing all milestones in leaps and bounds towards attaining the peaks of enlightenment, providing opportunities in diverse fields to all women.
In its endeavour towards growth and development of Jainism, the organisation inspired women to come together and work collectively to accomplish their goals. The organisation is instrumental in encouraging spiritual, religious, social, moral, educational, and cultural activities, which in turn is a medium of the overall development of women in our society.
It would not be exaggeration to say that the institution, which started only with limited resources, has climbed the ladder of success. No wonder, today it is self-sufficient, and one of the most reliable organisations of the nation. We pray that every moment spent may be constructive and creative, and every moment bring achievements under the guidance of our Acharyashree who has been an inspirational force and an ambassador of peace.
With hope in their eyes, strong determination in their hearts and great dreams to fulfil, the 37,000 members of this organisation are surging ahead with nearly 343 branches, under which 74 centres have been constituted. The main office of the organisation is at Jain Vishva Bharati, Ladnun, from where all its branches are controlled.
Their monthly bulletins are published under the name ‘Narilok’, nari - woman, lok - world; Narilok - women's world.
During 2003-2004, the major topics were creative activities as monthly quiz competitions, essays on reasons of female infanticide with suggestions of remedies against it. One of the declared aims of the women’s organisation is promotion of vegetarian lifestyle. 4000 resolutions were submitted to H.H. Acharya Mahaprajna, asking his support in bringing vegetarian lifestyle near to public awareness. Therefore, impressions of Jain life style, encouraging non-violence, peace, and pure atmosphere, were given through talk shows in educational institutions as schools and colleges, and a poster competition was started as well.
The major problem of the present Indian society consists in broken marriages, resulting in an increasing rate of divorces. Centres for women have been started in Bangalore, Jaipur, and Surat, to give support at large for the concerned. Various camps for settlement of family disputes were also organised in cities like Kolkatta, Delhi, Surat, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Jaipur.
In the field of medicine, Mahila Mandal provides artificial limbs and wheelchairs for handicapped people. More than 6000 people have already benefited from this scheme.
Further, general health check-up camps, eye check-up camps, and cancer check-up camps are organised every year. Medical facilities like free oral vaccination against polio, vaccination against hepatitis-B, free diabetes blood tests, free dental check-up, as well as free distribution of spectacles were carried out.
Whenever there were natural calamities, all help was given to the people in distress. When a cyclone had hit Orissa, relief material for the people was collected and loaded on a truck that directly went to Orissa, where the collected goods were distributed among the needy.
In order to make rural women self-sufficient, training is given in sewing, handicraft, and cooking. The results thereof are shown in various exhibitions.
One branch of Mahila Mandal was also formed in London.
Free diabities check-up camp by Mahila Mandal, North Howrah, suburb of Kolkatta.
On International Women's Day, 28th March 2003, a cancer diagonsis camp was organised by Mahila Mandal, Mumbai, in presence of Samanis Pratibha & Punya Pragya.
Free health check-up for babies
and younger children, organised by Mahila Mandal Kolkatta in 2004.
Free health check-up camp organised by Mahila Mandal, Ladnun.
Mahila Mandal Jaipur has organised a performance to propagate vegetarianism by children.
Function of Mahila Mandal Hyderabad
Free eye check-up camps,
resulting in numerous eye operations donated by Mahila Mandal.
Micro-surgery camp organised by North Howrah Mahila Mandal.