ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
CYBER THREATS AND AWARENESS
BLANKET DONATION IN SUNDERBANS
Members of SISK are always willing to contribute for a good cause.This time members got together and collected money to contribute towards blanket distribution in the Sunderbans. 100 blankets were distributed, when the members were visiting Sunderbans, for the mangrove plantation.
MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DRIVE IN SUNDERBANS
President Ruma Sen, accompanied by Shukla Chattopaydhyay, Reshma Narwani and Bhaswati Biswas, on their trip to Sonaga, in Gosaba Block, South 24 Parganas, Sunderbans for Mangrove plantation, took this opportunity to educate the villagers about the importance of menstrual hygiene. They made the women understand, of how this is a natural cycle and importance of being aware and educated about their needs. Black Polythene once again came forward to help distribute sanitary pads to the villagers. Sixty younger women were distributed two packets of sanitary pads. Earlier 450 packets were distributed in Dulki by Kolkata Society for Cultural Heritage, our partner in the Mangrove Plantation. Majority of our society even now consider it a taboo to talk about menstruation. As a result they are unaware and even today do not use the most basic form of menstruation protection.
MANGROVE PLANTATION IN SUNBERBANS
On 6th January President Ruma Sen along with IPP Reshma Narwani, PAC Shukla Chattopadhyay and Club Rep Bhaswati Biswas visited Dulki and Sonaga in Gosaba block of South 24 Parganas to inspect the mangroves sampling planted. In addition to 1000 saplings of the two species Sundar and Goran planted at Dulki 400 saplings of Kakra and Gewa were planted in Sonaga. These 400 saplings were planted in partnership with SI Pune Metro East and SI Chennai Downtown and other donors. The plantation drive was conducted in asoociation with Kolkata Society for Cultural Heritage. KSCH is involved with different community projects in Gosaba, South 24 Parganas. We look forward to working together to help revive the mangroves of Sunderbans.
FUND RAISING WITH TAMBOLA
Members indulged in a fun session with tambola and also raising funds with the activity. We plan to have it every month in order to collect sufficient funds. The tambola games were organised as a Diwali and Christmas get together.
WEBINAR ON ROAD TO EQUALITY
The SI Voices webinar on the “Road to Equality” presented by SI President Sharon Fisher and President’s Appeal Coordinators Ayushi Kundu, Olga Sidenko and SI intern from New York Claire Gilman. The highlights of the presentation were stories of interesting and inspiring projects around the world, all seeking to improve the lives of women and girls.
NASI INSTALLATION CEREMONY
Bhaswati Biswas of SI of South Kolkata was installed as a treasurer for National Association of Soroptimist International of India (NASI) term 2020-2022, at the NASI Installation Ceremony held on 29th November 2020 at Princeton Club, Kolkata. This event was organised by SI of Calcutta, where Dr Achina Kundu of SI of Calcutta was installed as the 16th President of NASI and at the same event Piyali Ghosh of SI of Calcutta was installed as the Secretary of NASI.
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2020
#StandUpforWomen
The webinar on 10th of December 2020 conducted by SI of South Kolkata was a success with 63 participants, about 25 of whom were senior school students. Anuradha Kapoor, Founder and Director of Swayam gave a presentation on Women’s Rights, how these rights are violated, what is Swayam’s role for women in distress, and how laws can help women and most importantly how each and everyone of us can help prevent violence against women.Development Officer Mohua Shome Lalvani spoke about the Legal Aid Clinic run by SISK in collaboration with IPER which kick started on the very same day in 2019. Speaker Ayushi Kundu from SI of Calcutta, also a Human Rights lawyer spoke about the Soroptimist’s role at the grass-root club level as well as at the UN with the general consultative status that Soroptimist International holds.
ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE DAY 2020
25TH November – Elimination of violence day and start of #16DaysofActivism
Soroptimist International of South Kolkata along with Institute of Psychological and Educational Research organised a webinar on the topic “Protection of Womb to Tomb” on the injustices that women face and redressals at their disposal, along with a change of attitude and mindsets to change these discrimination. We had two speakers Aratrika Bhattachraya, Asst. Professor & Head, Department of Sociology, St. Xavier’s College, University of Burdwan and Veena Lakhumalani, Social Development Consultant, who spoke on the event. This webinar was attended by the other Soroptimist Clubs in India and also by our friendship Link Club SI Dundee, Scotland and SI Club of Dhanmondi, Bangladesh.
CHILDREN'S DAY 2020
SI of South Kolkata celebrated Children’s Day with the children of IPER. Over 100 children were gifted with drawing copy and colours together with snacks and goodies.
15th CHARTER DAY
SI of South Kolkata has friendship links with 9 clubs across the 3 federations. To celebrate the 15th Charter Day on 21st September, SISK was joined by a member from each of the 5 clubs to speak on SI President’s Appeal on Road to Equality, on the virtual platform.
Our member Dr Sanjukta Bhattacharya spoke on the topic – “Towards gender equality in India”. SIGBI Friendship Link Coordinator Bhaswati Biswas spoke on the role and importance of friendship link. Project Action Coordinator Shukla Chattopadhyay spoke on the projects and Secretary Savita Jagtiani updated on the history of Soroptimist International.
LITERACY DAY AND TEACHER'S DAY 2020
On 8th September 2020. SI of South Kolkata celebrated Literacy Day and Teachers Day together. Rupkatha Sarkar Principle of La Martiniere for Girls briefed us about the new National Education Policy. On the same day SISK felicitated 10 professional teachers of our club, for their contribution in the field of education
WEBINAR ON CLIMATE CHANGE
At the webinar organised by SI Madurai on the ill effects of climate change in your city, SISK was represented by PAC Shukla Chattopadhyay. She spoke on the damages caused by depleting mangroves and cyclone in the Sunderbans and the ways to tackle it. The webinar mostly highlighted the need to work towards Eco-friendly, self sufficient and self sustaining lifestyles to mitigate climate change and the need to act locally to make a difference.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
On the occasion of International Women’s Day the women of the local communities celebrated this day together watching “Thappad” a socially relevant film on domestic violence and the importance of respecting women. The women were also given gift hampers and snacks which was sponsored by member Seema Murarka.