‘Common woman needs a platform to express herself’

Surekha Katariya, the vice-principal of Chinchwad-based Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana High School, who had taken initiatives to start the first literary meet for women, ‘Stree Sahitya Kala Sammelan’, in Pimpri-Chinchwad 10 years ago, is back with ‘Swanand’.

The initiative has received an overwhelming response from all strata of society, including the Jain community. Katariya, who has been honoured with various awards for her literary achievements, shared her experiences with Archana Dahiwal.

Q: Why did you feel the need to start a separate literary meet for women through Swanand?
A: Though we have 50% reservation for women in politics now, the situation was different earlier. Women hardly get an opportunity to go on the dais to express their ideas. Besides, only famous personalities participate in literary meets. There is tremendous literary potential among common women. The common woman has a need to express herself. I have experienced it deeply in my life. So, we decided to start a literary meet for the women, by the women, and of the women.

Another reason is that, I completed my education after marriage. I got married when I was in standard X. I requested my family to allow me to study further and they supported.

Q: What is the nature of Swanand’s women’s literary meet?
A: It is a one-day programme. All the members start planning the event two months before. We invite renowned women speakers from various fields to discuss issues plaguing women. Local women express their literary talents in this meet through various forms. We organise book fairs, granth dindis and felicitations of women writers at the event.

When we organised the first literary meet for women 10 years ago, it was quite a new concept and was received very well. Nearly 1,000 women took part in our function.

Q: What are the other activities done by Swanand in PCMC?
A: Every month, we organise counselling sessions for women, mothers and children on various topics like education, elocution skills, health and diet. Besides, we also organise blood donation camps and entertaining programmes like fashion shows and group discussions to help women release stress. Recently, we had organised elocution classes for women corporators.