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Smt. Vijaya Deshmukh's Contribution to an Empowered and Enlightened Society |
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Smt. Vijaya Deshmukh needs no introduction. Wife of Shri. B.G. Deshmukh, a distinguished retired I.A.S. official and former Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India, this learned lady who obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Library Science and worked for a brief period in the prestigious Jaikar library of the University of Pune in the early 70's, was a progressive woman of her times. Her work experience at the Jaikar library exposed her to a wide range of subjects and drew her attention to the sufferings of the poor, especially women and children.
Marriage to Shri. Deshmukh, who served in various eminent positions in the Central and State Governments broadened her outlook and the several postings to various corners of the country enhanced her sensitivity to the needs of the rural poor. Her background in dissemination of information made her recognise education as the only window to the world and this realisation made this determined lady associate herself with literacy programmes by encouraging children from lower socio-economic groups to attend schools from the primary stage itself in schools operated under the Bombay Municipal Corporation.
She also expressed concern at the lack of welfare of the poor and as Chairperson of the IAS Officers' Wives Association in Delhi and Mumbai, she played a key role in launching socio-economic development programmes for upliftment of the weaker sections of the society, especially for the empowerment of women and enhancing their status.
Appreciating the toil and untiring contribution of poor craftsmen to the rich legacy of traditional crafts which have found a global market, she took up the cause of this neglected group and ensured a life of dignity for them in her capacity as an active worker of “Paramparik Karigar”, an NGO in Mumbai. She was also associated with the Museum Society of the Prince of Wales Museum in Mumbai for the preservation of treasured and heritage artifacts.
Not restricting herself to one arena only, environmental protection and conservation of the rich bio-diversity also featured in her agenda and she identified herself with the work of the Bombay Natural History Society, an organisation committed to ecological restoration and improved environment.
The plight of street children also moved her and she played an active role in brightening the future of thousands of street children of Mumbai who had no shelter or no one to care for them.
She also took interest in the development programmes of BAIF and visited various tribal development and water resources development programmes. She was particularly interested in the development of women through promotion of self help groups and micro-enterprises and encouraged them to play an active role in community development for their overall development, during her visits.
Today, Vijaya Deshmukh (30 th April 1930 – 23 rd November 2001) is no more. But her spirit continues to live among thousands of women and children who are living with dignity and enjoying improved livelihood and better quality of life due to her selfless efforts. In her memory, Smt. Vijaya Deshmukh Memorial Award has been instituted by her husband Shri. B.G. Deshmukh, who is a Trustee and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Trustees of BAIF. Shri. Deshmukh has a long association with BAIF and the Founder, Dr. Manibhai Desai, since the last four decades.
We hope this Award will help outstanding Self Help Groups to further strengthen the programme and serve the community better |
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