 |
| CNSS president Diwakari Chhetri. |
She has sold off her cows and even landed property to run her organisation for helping deprived women of remote villages. Chenga Nari Sewa Samity (CNSS) was formed in 2002 under the initiative of Chhetri and a handful of women from Chenga village under the Mirik block of the Gorkhaland Territorial administration.
Chhetri says she is working to bring about positive changes in the life of rural folk, especially in terms of women empowerment. She said huge amounts of money have been spent by the government for poverty alleviation and women empowerment, but the situation is still pathetic.
She said, “I used to withdraw money from my husband’s bank account without his knowledge for the organisation’s works. In 2005, I sold my cows to buy furniture and stationery for the CNSS office.”
Chettri have provided vocational training in tailoring, doll making and art and crafts, among many other skills to women of rural areas so as to make them capable of earning for themselves.
CNSS has 63 members at present and most of them are school and college going students. The organisation holds HIV/AIDS awareness camps, blood donation campaigns and works proactively to stop human.
Chettri, who is the CNSS’ president, has approached the police several times for assistance while dealing with rape victims and helped rescue girls and women from the clutches of traffickers.
CNSS assistant secretary Pratima Sharma said the organisation does not have its own office building due to lack of funds. She said the members have a dream to erect a building where women and girls can receive free computer coaching, attend awareness programmes and play indoor games.
Report by: PRASHANT ACHARYA Source: EOI
