All section Close
Image Credits: TheNewIndianExpress
Andhra Pradesh: Sthree Sadanam Continues To Help Girls Achieve Their Dreams Despite Lack Of Funding
Writer: Devyani Madaik
A media enthusiast, Devyani believes in learning on the job and there is nothing off limits when it comes to work. Writing is her passion and she is always ready for a debate as well.
Andhra Pradesh, 28 March 2021 9:47 AM GMT
Editor : Shubhendu Deshmukh |
Shubhendu, the quint essential news junky, the man who loves science and politics in equal measure and offers the complete contrast to it by being a fan of urdu poetry as well.
Creatives : Abhishek M
" An engineer by profession, Abhishek is the creative producer of the team, graphic designing is his passion and travelling his get away. In more ways than one, he makes the content visually appealing."
Although the home is working rigorously to make the girls' lives better, they face difficulties in garnering sufficient and continuous funding.
Home to 39 underprivileged girls from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, the 127-year-old Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu Sthree Sadanam is helping many to continue studies and achieve their dreams.
The home is named after renowned social reformer Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu, who started Victoria Widows' Home through his charitable trust Hitakarini Samajam. In 1985, the then Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government took over Hitakarini trust properties.
Veeresalingam had launched several movements in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the women's movement was the most significant one. He set out to various programs for women's education, widow remarriage, eradication of prostitution etc.
In 1986, Former Chief Minister NT Rama Rao inaugurated a new building. The Victoria Widows' Home was renamed Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu Sthree Sadanam, and since then, it is being run by the Andhra Pradesh Women and Child Welfare Department.
The Andhra Pradesh government provides free food and accommodation to the girls, and the state women and child welfare department looks over all the operations.
Speaking to The New Indian Express, department officer Durga Vani said that all the girls carried a passion for studying and never missed a class. The department also provides them with all the required medical care.
One of the girls, Sri Lakshmi, an undergraduate student, expressed her gratitude over the facilities being provided at home. Another girl Pushpa Devi from Nidadavolu, who is pursuing B.Com, said that the home helped her continue her studies.
Although the home is working rigorously to make the girls' lives better, they face difficulties in garnering sufficient and continuous funding. Lack of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and other equipment adds to the problems.
Due to a shortage of funds, Sthree Sadanam has power dues to the tune of ₹1 lakh to the electricity department. The State government has helped a couple of times, including recent repairs of toilets and a few rooms which were in a dilapidated condition. But there is no frequent flow of funds, posing difficulties in accomplishing projects and meeting operational costs.
Must Reads
We are an independent and public-spirited digital media platform for Indian millennials. We report news and issues that matter as well as give you the opportunity to take action.
