Port Blair, Jun 21: A Centre for Holistic Wellness including Crisis Response Centre for Women- ‘Arunodaya’, located at Qtr No. JG 6, Type-V, Junglighat has become functional with its inauguration by the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Lt. Gen A. K. Singh (Retd.) here this morning. Soon after inaugurating the ‘Centre for Holistic Wellness; including Crisis Response Centre for Women’, the Lt. Governor went round the place, inspected the facilities provided at the Centre and offered valuable suggestions in improving the Centre further.
The Chief Secretary,(i/c), Shri Raajiv Yaduvanshi, Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman, Smt Minati Biswas, Chairperson, PBMC, Smt Sheela Singh, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, Shri Vijay Kumar Bidhuri and other senior officers of the Administration besides Ms. Namita Gautam of Sleepwell Foundation, New Delhi were among those who attended the programme.
Dedicating the Centre to the people of A&N Islands, the Lt. Governor while addressing the gathering on the occasion, firstly thanked the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for his concern towards the Islands as well as the Islanders under whose guidance and blessings; these Islands are marching forward on the path of further progress. He also hailed the Prime Minister for bringing Yoga on to the world stage and said, due to the efforts of the Prime Minister, today, the day is being celebrated as ‘International Day of Yoga’ across the globe in great fervor.
Talking about ‘Arunodaya’- Centre for Holistic Wellness including Crisis Response Centre for Women’, the Lt. Governor said, the centre is ‘by the people and for the people’ of the Islands and stressed that people should make best use of the facilities in mitigating their social issues. “With the coming together of many institutions besides the Social Welfare Department in shaping this Centre, it will become a comprehensive centre”, said the Lt. Governor, directing the Social Welfare Department to reach out to all the Islands and expressed hope that the present team of Social Welfare Department and the Police will be able to do it successfully.
Speaking about purpose of life, the Lt. Governor called upon the people to indulge in a little introspection and to know their inner self and the purpose of life. “If you experience happiness, don’t confine it to yourself, share it with others. Evolve yourself by firstly understanding yourself and accordingly contribute in other people’s lives”, he said.
Acknowledging the extraordinary contribution of women in our life and society, the Lt. Governor, beaming with pride said, the position of women in A&N Islands is much better when compared to other parts of the country and they have excelled in various spheres of life. The Lt. Governor also expressed confidence that ‘Arunodaya’ will find the right response and support from the people of all walks of life.
Regarding alcoholism, the Lt. Governor said that rules & regulations about the bars and granting of license will be implemented strictly and the Police have been asked to be vigilant on this issue. He also appealed that the society should take charge of the alcoholism issue. People also must educate and regulate themselves and move forward in the right direction, said the Lt. Governor.
The Chief Secretary (i/c), Shri Raajiv Yaduvanshi, while speaking, said, the Department of Social Welfare is the most responsible one in terms of taking care of social issues. The Social Welfare Department has to approach the targeted people in an extremely sensitive manner with great empathy and humane touch. This centre will go a long way, in helping the needy women, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, the Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman, Smt. Minati Biswas said that the centre is the result of the efforts of the Lt. Governor who, guided by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, has initiated the establishment of this centre. She lauded the efforts of the Secretary, Social Welfare in all her efforts in various social welfare activities. She also drew the attention of the Administration towards the problem of alcoholism in A&N Islands and suggested some measures to address the issue.
The PBMC Chairperson, Smt. Sheela Singh, while speaking, expressed great joy that such a centre has been made available by the Social Welfare Department of A&N Administration. This one stop centre will extend medical, legal, counseling as well as shelter to the affected women and take care of their welfare, she said, also stressing for more awareness generation among the masses so that women get their due respect and right in the society. She also called upon women to avail the benefits of all schemes being implemented by the Govt. The people’s representatives have a great role in bringing awareness among women; she said and called upon people to change their attitude towards women too.
Swami Shudhanandaji, Resident Acharya, Chinmaya Mission also expressed his views on this occasion and appreciated the opening of the Centre for the welfare of the targeted group and others. He also enlightened the gathering about the meaning and benefits of yoga. “Renunciation and service are the twin idea of India and this should be the aim for society to progress”, he said urging the senior citizens and parents to lead an ideal life to imbibe good moral values and character in the children. He assured of all help to Social Welfare Department in its endeavours.
Corporate Trainer and Psychotherapist, Ms. Arvinder J. Singh spoke on ‘Insight into wellness’. She explained how to deal with agony and troubles of the mind through practicing yoga which strengthens the mind too. She urged the women to take benefit of the counseling centre that will function in ‘Arunodaya’. She also gave useful tips on how to recognize a person in stress and urged the gathering to take the first step in helping that person.
In her welcome address, the Secretary, Social Welfare, Smt. Rashmi Singh said, ‘Arunodaya’- Centre for Holistic Wellness including Crisis Response Centre for Women is one of the response of dealing with people in need. Explaining about the facilities offered, she said, the Centre shall provide services of Counselors, Nutritionist and other referral services by tying up with a pool of resource agencies which can support different intervention intended through the centre for physical, emotional and mental well being. The centre would also offer counseling for individual cases, besides group activities. The centre has toll free numbers 3195 & 230504 and people who need counseling and emotional support can either call directly or be referred by friends/family/other acquaintances, she said. Similarly, outreach and extension services would be conducted from time to time in association with organizations like Chinmaya Mission, Alcohol Anonymous, AYUSH Hospital/other experts, DHS, Komal Slim Sutras and Counselors of Social Welfare Department. ‘Arunodaya’ will also serve the needs of women including girls below 18 years who are affected by violence, she said. The centre has provision of short stay for such women and will facilitate transportation, medical assistance, police help, legal aid, counseling, she said adding that Institutions established under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) ACT, 2000 and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 will be linked with the Wellness Centre.
Earlier, Ms Rene Singh, a vocalist from New Delhi presented a melodious ‘vandanda’ invoking the blessings of the Almighty on the occasion.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Director, Social Welfare Department, Shri M.N. Murali. Ex-Chairpersons of Social Welfare Board, Smt. Shanta Laxman Singh and Smt Ratna Kannan, Members, UTCPCR, Smt Rubina Siddique, Ms Kiran Tigga, Smt Geeta Raj, Padmashri Naresh Chander Lal, guests from Delhi besides a large number of Anganwadi workers, staff of Social Welfare Department, PRI Members and fisherwomen also attended this programme.