Tapodhan mahasabha takes out 'yatra'

A yatra to highlight education for women and against female foeticide started on New Year's day from Balimora. The 12-day, Akshatkumbh Yatra, organised by Tapodhan Brahmin Mahasabha concluded at Bahucharaji.

Says Bharat Raval, president of the mahasabha: "We focused on issues like 'Beti Bachao' and 'Vyasan Mukti' among Brahmins. We also highlighted the issue of proper higher education among youth."

Even though it was only registered in 1953, the trust was established in 1910. Once limited to a few pockets, including north Gujarat and Ahmedabad, the trust has now spread to other parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. The yatra covered 52 villages and 15-odd districts across Gujarat.

Looking to funding over 5000 girls, the organisers set aside a budget of Rs2.5 lakh for the event. The funding will be given until the PhD level.

The concept was introduced over a year ago. When Bharat Ravail was president, the mahasabha started ensuring that a nationalistic feeling was created among the families, not just to ensure that girls have a chance to be born but also that the youth are kept away from wrong practices and have a more focused lifestyle.

Dina Ravail, president of the women's wing, says that she tried to educate the women of the families. Dina told women to fight for their daughters and what they could do for their families and for the nation. "First they should try mutual understanding," says Dina.
A women's cell has already been established by the trust but a more grassroots level body will be established when six to seven women from each taluka will form one cell to deal with such problems.