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MRA State Process
Amravati Convention
The 5th Bi - Annual State Convention of MRA was recently held at Amravati on 29th & 30th March 2009. Over 5000 women leaders from all over the Maharashtra participated in the convention. The representatives from the other states like Madhya Pradesh also joined to experience the big event. Various political party leaders, scholars, local leaders, activist, speakers, government officers presented their views during the convention. The convention was inaugurated in presence of all the invitees by lightning a lamp and venerating Savitribai Phule's image. Flying the pigeons was another inaugural act as symbolic of peace. Saluting Human Heritage was also done at inauguration.
Rajasattetil Karbharaninchi Kamai session marked the Gains of women leaders in governance. After the three terms women have learned a lot through their experience and observation. Accepting all the challenges and facing all the critiques they have contributed significant contribution to the governance and to the society. This session made space for them to relive their achievements celebrating their success. Kushavartatai mentioned that Jyotiba putra and andolan have always been a source of courage to fight and conquer her struggles. Anjanatai share her strategic use of traditional games and events to draw women's participation to the governance. Jayawntabai spoke about her speech at NREGA conference Delhi. Malatai Thakare shared how the dialogue with opponents helped her fare better in politics.
The open convention was inaugurated with bursting the balloons of misconceptions about the women. These balloons were about the myths like 'Women are inefficient, they don't know politics, woman is woman's enemy, they are weak illiterate, etc. The bursting of balloons was an act to erase the misconceptions of society & women themselves, about the women.
Mulgi Zali Ho a play portraying woman's life was perhaps the most appealing act in the convention and all the women thoroughly enjoyed it.
Finally after the two days think tank on various aspects concerned to the 'Women leadership in Governance' with a core theme of governance and development, it was a time to discuss the future strategies of MRA. Andolan charter of demands highlighting the MRA demands was presented. A resolution was passed after these demands. A unanimous decision to 'Vote responsibly' was made. Thus extract of all these strategies was presented in form of vision 2011.
The concluding session of the convention was Jyotiba Phule Vichar Manch. Remarriage of Development and Governance was the highlight of the session. The post independence era has largely experienced the diverging connections between Development and Governance. At these times when governance is becoming a tool to augment power and wealth by achieving position, we really need to promote the new perspectives. Hence on the background of coming elections, 'a remarriage of development and governance was arranged to draw voters' attention to the issues.
Along with conveying the achievements and contributions of the women leadership, this convention focused growing aspirations of women about the politics. This is hoped to assert a positive views on the women leadership! This was the first convention under the leadership of a woman, Sunitatai Raut. Finally the announcement of next convention to be held at Latur in 2011 was made, with handover of Mashal 2011 to the Latur team.
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