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NAB Committee for Advancement of the Status of Blind Women
History
In January 1981 NAB established this Committee to focus on the special needs of blind women. Popularly known as CASBW, this Committee ensures delivery of rehabilitation and welfare services to blind women, and capacitates them through affirmative action to play a more pro-active role in society.
The Committee primarily aims at socio-economic empowerment and mainstreaming of blind women.
Activities
- Financial support for education, self-employment, medical treatment, house repair and social rehabilitation
- Basic counseling, domiciliary and referral services for educational, marital, legal and family-related problems
- Educational Scholarships (instituted in the memory Late Mrs. Kusum Maluste, former Chairperson of CASBW)
- Sponsorships for Computer Education, Sports and Excursions
- Short-term Training Programs
- Pre-marital Counseling Workshops for visually impaired men and women of marriageable age
- Life Skills Development Program
- Training in Craft and enhancing Culinary Skills
- Medical Camps and Health-Care Programs
- Talent Competitions
- Personality Development Programs
- Marketing Skills Training Programs
Utkarsh Job Development Training Centre
Aimed at offering training and earning opportunities to blind women on "earn while you learn" basis, CASBW set up in 1988 the Utkarsh Job Development Centre which has been successful in the socio-economic rehabilitation of hundreds of blind women in Maharashtra.
Utkarsh's Rakhi and Diwali Festival Projects - with Air India’s support since 1992 - have become a major source of income for blind women.Our new products like decorative wax and gel candles, dry flowers, photo frames, tea-light holders are ideal as corporate gifts and have been in great demand at various exhibitions.
We have helped our trainees to form Self-Help Groups to encourage greater economic self-reliance.
Of late, we have launched similar activity at Ambernath in Thane District. The Centre is called Ambernath Job Development Training Centre.
Utkarsh has recently started a canteen at its premises, to serve its trainees and the staff. Some visually impaired women have been able to get employment through this initiative. |
Utkarsh trainees making decorative articles |
Exhibition of Utkarsh Products |
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Atoot Bandhan Project
Each year Utkarsh trainees make thousands of Rakhis for army personnel posted in the border areas. Utkarsh team visit these places during Raksha Bandhan and tie Rakhis on the wrists of officers and jawans. The Indian Army too makes excellent arrangements for our visually impaired ladies, during their visit. |
NAB-Trupti
In July 2000 CASBW started a Poli Bhaji Kendra (Canteen) at NAB's head office at Worli Seaface, with the objective to train visually impaired girls in cooking and kitchen management on an experimental basis. This Canteen later renovated with the financial support from IMC (Indian Merchants' Chamber) Ladies Wing was named NAB-Trupti. Trupti caters to the staff and the visitors at NAB head office. Tea, coffee, breakfast and lunch are served on all working days and when need arises, on non working days too. Trupti has provided employment opportunity to four blind and visually impaired women. |
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Rural Project
In December 2000, CASBW extended its activities in the Murud-Alibag regions of Raigad District in Maharashtra. Supported by an NRI donor, this activity has benefited several blind and visually impaired women in the region. Local Government bodies like th Zilla Parishad have played a key role in providing these women financial and tactical support for their economic empowerment, through community-based activities like making coir products, chalk and candles and by providing them PCOs. Beneficiaries of this Job Development Centre are trained in various trades like screen printing, making folders, artificial flower bouquets, imitation jewelry, etc. |
Hostel for Blind Working Women and College Girls
With a generous donation from Mrs. Vatsala Joshi and Mrs. Damayanti Joshi, CASBW has started the Smt. Vatsala Joshi & Smt. Damayanti Joshi Hostel for Blind Women, which has been functional since April 2006. Located at NAB Kaka Patil Centre for the Blind at Andheri, Mumbai, this first of its kind service introduced by NAB, provides affordable residential facility to 14 blind women pursuing education/employment in Mumbai. |
Neelum Kanga Memorial Awards |
Each year, CASBW honors 3 blind women achievers who have attained distinction in academics, sports or their chosen professions like medicine, physiotherapy, teaching, computer science, astrology, mountaineering, and so on. These awards were instituted in 1983 in the memory of Mrs. Neelum Khurshed Kanga - a fund-raiser for NAB and an ardent supporter of the blind women. So far 78 visually impaired women have been honored with this award by CASBW.
N. K. Kanga Award Winners - 2011 |
Ms. Savita Singh |
Ms. Mahananda Talwekar |
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Life Skills Development Program
In collaboration with SNDT Women’s University we have initiated a Life Skills Development Training Programme for Visually Challenged Adolescents and Young Adults. The first training program was conducted on a pilot basis at Devlali, Nashik. We plan to conduct many such programmes on a continuing basis. |
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Recreational Activities
Annual Outing: Trainees of Utkarsh are taken for annual outing to different place in India, as a token of appreciation for their contribution towards the project.
Haldi Kumkum: Haldi Kumkum is a traditional event celebrated in India where get-togethers are organized by women for women. Such functions give women the opportunity to meet and have a good time with each other in a pleasurable and joyful environment. Keeping in mind the capability of this occasion in helping VI women socialize, interact and share and resolve their problems, CASBW arranges Haldi Kumkum program each year for trainees and staff of all its projects. |
Future Plans
• A Short Term Training Course in basic cooking • A special ladies batch for professional acupressure and massage course. |
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