Challenges often makes a person strong and then, such people help others to become strong. This is what Varada Joshi, 45, from Dombivli have been doing for past 10 years. Her incomplete education made her pursue degrees after marriage and today, she helps women to finish their education.
Varada's marriage in 1993 changed a lot in her life. A native of Buldhana district in Vidarbha, she could study only till SSC as girls education was limited in those days. However, after marriage she shifted to Dombivli and her sister encouraged her to complete her education through distance learning. "My sister told me I can be a graduate through distance courses," she says.
Varada worked on the advice and not only did she complete her graduation, but is a double MA (master of arts) in history and philosophy. She runs the legal center of SNDT in Dombivli, her alma mater. "I got the permission to start the center in 2013 and I am engaged in women's education since past 10 years," she says, adding, "Through this center, women can give university intra-test which makes them eligible to seek admission in first year of BA, BCom, BSc."
Varada not only has center in Dombivli, but also in Kalyan and Borivli. Women who could study only till class VIII or IX are now studying under her guidance. Even the state education department has made two classrooms available for her center at Sant Tulsidas school, Dombivli, for women to study. She has been instrumental in educating over 150 women. "Now we have four women from orphanages and four tribal women from Yeoor Pada enrolled at our centre for their further studies," Varada says.
She also teaches history and philosophy to students of Maharashtra Public Service Commisioner. "Dombivli is considered to be a literate city just because its residents are either 10th or 12th pass. However, this is not education. There are many women at higher posts who are either SSC or HSC pass," she says.
Her goal is not only to educate women, but to empower them. "We have 21 students who are studying women empowerment. They want to get into politics and we are helping them through education and awareness programmes," she beams.
Though she has never received any award for her efforts, she is least concerned about it. "I am not looking for awards and recognition. I just want to help women get education as it can help them lead better lives," she says.
Her NGO, Varada Mahila Shikshan Sanstha, founded in 2013, is now in talks with Aadharwadi jail, Kalyan, for education of women prisoners. "If these women are educated then after their release from the prison they work respectably, rather than resorting to crime again," she asserts.
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