| Home | WebCast | The Mission | The Visit |  Lara's Journal | Adolescents in India |

.............................................................................................

Monday, January 22, 2001 - Day One
NISHTHA PROJECT IN WEST BENGAL    

Lara Dutta, Miss Universe 2000 and the United Nations Population Fund Goodwill Ambassador performed the Briksha Ropan ceremony at Kochpukur village in South 24 Paragans during a visit to the NISHTHA project. The Briksha Ropan is a Hindu religious ritual associated with the planting of a coconut sapling that represents new life. Only high caste Brahmin priests who have been vested with the rights of chanting the sacred prayers are allowed to perform this ceremony. Women are traditionally barred from participating in such auspicious events. Before an audience of 600, Dutta and five or seven women leaders selected from NISHTHA’s Mahila Mandals (women’s groups) broke this important gender-based tradition by performing the ceremony.

Lara Dutta held a young coconut sapling high while one of the women blessed the sapling by putting garlands on it and passed the sacred flame around it in a circular motion. The sapling was then marked with the holy sign of the swastika using sindu (a red powder associated with religious ceremonies). The women chanted and danced around her. Lara then planted the sapling with the assistance of the women. A conch shell was then blown to mark the successful culmination of the ceremony. The blowing of the conch is associated with the Lord Krishna marshalling his forces before beginning a battle against evil forces. Thus this ceremony symbolized NISHTHA’s efforts to empower women and strengthen their struggle for gender equality.                    

On this visit to Kochpukur village, Dutta was representing the Face to Face International - UNFPA Campaign for Women which is focused on generating support for programs that empower women and girls to exercise their basic human rights. NISHTHA is a local NGO based in Baruipur whose mission is to promote and protect the human rights of women. NISHTHA’s Secretary Mina Das thanked Dutta for gracing NISHTHA with this special visit and stated:

" We are so honored to have Lata Dutta visit NISHTHA - and inspire our girls and kishoris (adolescent girls) to strive for their dreams and ideals. We will remember her every time we look at the coconut tree - and partake of its fruit. She gives all of us the strength and courage to fight on for justice, dignity and womens’ and girls’ human rights ".

< -- Back    Next -->