Latest news with #VasavyaMahilaMandali
Hans India
17-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Central team praises NTR district's efforts
Vijayawada: Members of the Central TB Division team lauded the efforts of district medical officials and staff in controlling and preventing Tuberculosis (TB), emphasising that proper public awareness is key to curbing the disease. On Wednesday, the Central government's TB Division team visited Vijayawada to assess the on-ground implementation of the 'TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' (TB-Free India Campaign) in the district. Their visit included a stop at the APIIC Colony Urban Primary Health Centre, where they reviewed the progress of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan programme. They inquired about public awareness campaigns, disease diagnosis, distribution of free medicines to patients, and details of preventative measures. Subsequently, the teaminspected the CDST-TB Lab at Siddhartha Medical College, expressing satisfaction with the services provided. District medical officials briefed the central team on the conduct of medical tests, provision of appropriate treatment, and details of nutritional support provided to patients through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana scheme. They also shared information regarding the distribution of nutritional kits by Ni-kshay Mitras (supporters). Officials explained that they are taking measures to identify TB patients in every village and provide them with improved treatment. As part of their visit, the Central team interacted with Ni-kshay Mitras. Food kits were distributed to patients receiving treatment, with support from Vasavya Mahila Mandali and Apollo Tyres Healthcare Centre. The team also engaged with TB champions and felicitated them with medals. Central team members Dr Bhawani Singh Kushwaha, Dr D Dharmarao, and Gangadhar Das, alongside State TB Officer Dr T Ramesh and District Medical and Health Officer Dr M Suhasini, Secretary of Vasavya Mahila Mandali G Rashmi and others participated.
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Hans India
‘Nearly' married, minor girl saves her future, dreams
Vijayawada: Shreeparna (name changed), a 16-year-old girl from Krishna district, grew up in a household where survival meant hard work, not dreams. Her parents, both daily-wage agricultural labourers, barely made ends meet, but Shreeparna's aspirations were clear—she wanted to earn, support her family, and become independent. For her, success wasn't defined by titles but by financial freedom. After completing Class X, her parents urged her to continue with Class XI. But Shreeparna had different plans. She opted for a vocational route, choosing a Medical Lab Technician course that offered a faster track to employment. Though initially reluctant, her parents allowed her to join the residential training programme within Krishna district. It was a major step toward her long-awaited goal. At the college, she met Sai (name changed), a 25-year-old from her village who was preparing for police constable exams. Their shared background and drive to succeed brought them close. But their growing friendship stirred concern in the village. Fearing reputational damage, her parents abruptly pulled her out of the course and brought her back home. Despite her emotional pleas to continue studying and working, her parents remained unmoved. They soon began searching for a groom and fixed her marriage to a relative's son. It was at that moment that Shreeparna decided to fight back. She approached the local Aanganwadi teacher and disclosed that her parents were trying to marry her off at 16-an illegal act under Indian law. The teacher immediately alerted the child social worker from Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM), a local NGO working with Just Rights for Children (JRC), a nationwide network of over 250 NGOs combating child abuse and exploitation. The VMM team acted swiftly, coordinating with the child helpline, police, Integrated Child Development Services, and Child Protection officials. They visited Shreeparna's home to intervene. Her parents initially resisted, claiming the marriage was for her 'safety,' but the team emphasised the legal consequences of child marriage, including possible imprisonment for everyone involved, from parents to the officiating priest. More importantly, the officials patiently explained how early marriage could destroy their daughter's future—emotionally, physically, and economically. After prolonged dialogue, her parents finally relented and signed a written undertaking promising not to marry her before she turned 18. Dr. Keerthi Bollineni, President of VMM, said, 'Convincing parents not to push their children into marriage is often emotionally draining. But with committed intervention and government backing, we can move toward making Andhra Pradesh child marriage-free.' Shreeparna's story reflects the struggles many girls still face in rural India. But it also shows the power of speaking out. Her courage, combined with timely community support,helped her reclaim her right to dream-and to decide her own future.
Hans India
30-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Vasavya Mahila Mandali distributes vocational training certificates
Vijayawada: The Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM) in collaboration with HCL Foundation, as part of their 'Amma Project' initiative, distributed vocational training certificates in Fashion Designing, Beautician, and Tally courses. The event, held at the Silver Jubilee Hall of Vasavya Mahila Mandali, saw trainees share their success stories and receive certificates from the District Collector. Dr B Keerthi, president of Vasavya Mahila Mandali, addressed the gathering, urging every woman who received training to empower others by sharing their newly acquired skills. 'Each of you who have trained at our Vasavya Mahila Mandali should teach what you've learned to your peers, guiding every woman towards economic development,' she stated. NTR District Collector Dr G Lakshmisha , who was chief guest, expressed joy at visiting the Vasavya Mahila Mandali, praising its programmes as exemplary. 'I am very happy to be here at Vasavya Mahila Mandali. Your programmes are exemplary, and my congratulations to you for ensuring the ideals of Gora are passed on to future generations,' he remarked. Collector Lakshmisha further described Vasavya Mahila Mandali as a 'game changer' and assured the organisation of his full support for government welfare schemes. He also expressed his delight at VMM's implementation of the P-4 concept. Several beneficiaries from various training categories shared their positive life transformations after receiving training at Vasavya Mahila Mandali, deeply impressing the Collector. Dr G Lakshmisha handed over the certificates to those who completed their vocational courses. Other dignitaries present at the event included G Rashmi, Secretary of VMM, and Dr. P. Deeksha, Medical Director.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
‘70% of child labourers back to work in NTR, Krishna dists'
1 2 Vijayawada: A recent study by NGO Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM) has revealed that nearly 70% of child labourers rescued in the Krishna and NTR districts have returned to work, pointing to weak rehabilitation systems and lack of consistent follow-up. The study, released ahead of World Day Against Child Labour (June 12), tracked the progress of 291 child labourers rescued in the last two years by VMM in collaboration with the labour department. Many were from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, working on the streets of Vijayawada, while others hailed from surrounding villages. While the children were initially re-admitted to schools, the study found that most parents quietly sent them back to work, often in different locations, to avoid govt scrutiny. "We are seeing a pattern where children rescued and reintegrated into education are silently being re-employed elsewhere," said Dr B Keerthi, president of VMM. One such case is of Charan (name changed), a boy from Kesarpalli near Gannavaram. "After passing seventh standard, my mother made me work in a sweet shop for 1,000 per month, 12 hours a day. Even after I was rescued and told to return to school, my parents preferred to send me back to work," he shared. Dr Keerthi stressed the need for regular monitoring post-rescue. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Hans India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
First Indian lawyer to get Medal of Honor
Vijayawada: Eminent child rights lawyer and Just Rights for Children founder Bhuwan Ribhu has become the first Indian lawyer to be conferred with the 'Medal of Honour' by the World Jurist Association (WJA) at the World Law Congress in Dominican Republic. Bhuwan Ribhu has strong connections with NTR district as Vijayawada-based Vasavya Mahila Mandali is a partner of the Just Rights for Children network. Elated with this honour conferred to the founder of JRC, Dr B Keerthi, president of Vasavya Mahila Mandali said, 'This is not just an individual honour for Bhuwan Ribhu. It is a moment of immense pride for all of us working on the ground to protect every child. We are committed to making NTR district child marriage-free by 2030.' Bhuwan Ribhu received the 'Medal of Honour' from Eddy Olivares Ortega, Minister of Labor of Dominican Republic, and Javier Cremades, President of the World Jurist Association. Bhuwan Ribhu has led over 60 PILs resulting in landmark rulings in the Supreme Court and various High Courts. His 2011 case led to the Supreme Court defining trafficking in line and his 2013 campaign on missing children triggered a historic judgment changing the way India's legal system perceived missing children cases. His PICKET strategy to end child marriage, outlined in When Children Have Children, was endorsed by the Supreme Court in its 2024 guidelines. The strategy is also followed by the Vasavya Mahila Mandali, which is determined that the district would be free from child marriage by 2030.
