COIMBATORE: With hands shivering and her voice shaking, Anshi bai Kankaria said that she was nervous speaking on the mike as this was the first time that she was on a stage in front of so many people in her life.
As she spoke on women empowerment and how she wanted the daughters and daughters-in-law of her home to go out and achieve something, she said she did not get this freedom in her time as the society was different then.
"Even today, it's not that easy. Though many have modern thinking and have started to adjust with changing times, some men in our society are still against women working and getting educated," she said.
Not just Anshi Bai, nearly 40 more of the age group of above 70 years were invited and honoured at an event organized by Rajasthani Sangh on Friday where the theme for women's day celebrations was to remember olden days.
"As times changed even we have adjusted and have changed ourselves. But we want to tell the youngsters that they should never misuse the freedom that they get," said Gulabi Bai, aged 80.
For 98-year-old Shere Kawar, the event was just another feather on her cap. She said she was married at the age of 16 and conceived a child only after 25 years and went on to have four more children after that. "I always believe in women empowerment and all my children and daughters-in-law are well educated. I do not have any problem if they want to work as well," she said.
These women, who seem to have strong cultural and religious principles, also knew how to have fun. "When I was young, even though I was married, I used to travel with my husband and watch at least 30 movies a month," said Prakash Bai Ranka aged 70. Shanti Mehta said that her mother was so modern that she never let her do any work. "I used to get angry, buy my mother-in-law always loved me so much," she said.
As they watched women dance and take part in several competitions, many said they wished they also enjoyed a similar freedom. "I regret that I was not born at this time when women are almost treated as equals. I always wanted to get educated but never got the opportunity," said Kanchan Bai Jugraj Jain.
She said that everyone should take care of their parents and never leave them for any reason. Leelavathi Ben Gandhi, who came all dressed for the event in traditional attire said, "We have not done much in life as we never got such opportunities. I want these women to continue to do good work and never stop it."
Preeti Ranka, the chairperson of the women empowerment wing of the Sangh, said: "In our daily lives we get so busy that we tend to forget our elders. All they need from us is some time. We wanted to honour them and also thank them because what we are today is because of them," she said.
Madhu Bantia, another organsier, said many elderly women who couldn't walk also agreed to attend the event and climb the stage. "It was a great honour for us that they all agreed to come," she added.
Women took part in many competitions such as a fancy dress competition with the theme - historical couples and dance competitions.
As she spoke on women empowerment and how she wanted the daughters and daughters-in-law of her home to go out and achieve something, she said she did not get this freedom in her time as the society was different then.
"Even today, it's not that easy. Though many have modern thinking and have started to adjust with changing times, some men in our society are still against women working and getting educated," she said.
Not just Anshi Bai, nearly 40 more of the age group of above 70 years were invited and honoured at an event organized by Rajasthani Sangh on Friday where the theme for women's day celebrations was to remember olden days.
"As times changed even we have adjusted and have changed ourselves. But we want to tell the youngsters that they should never misuse the freedom that they get," said Gulabi Bai, aged 80.
For 98-year-old Shere Kawar, the event was just another feather on her cap. She said she was married at the age of 16 and conceived a child only after 25 years and went on to have four more children after that. "I always believe in women empowerment and all my children and daughters-in-law are well educated. I do not have any problem if they want to work as well," she said.
These women, who seem to have strong cultural and religious principles, also knew how to have fun. "When I was young, even though I was married, I used to travel with my husband and watch at least 30 movies a month," said Prakash Bai Ranka aged 70. Shanti Mehta said that her mother was so modern that she never let her do any work. "I used to get angry, buy my mother-in-law always loved me so much," she said.
As they watched women dance and take part in several competitions, many said they wished they also enjoyed a similar freedom. "I regret that I was not born at this time when women are almost treated as equals. I always wanted to get educated but never got the opportunity," said Kanchan Bai Jugraj Jain.
She said that everyone should take care of their parents and never leave them for any reason. Leelavathi Ben Gandhi, who came all dressed for the event in traditional attire said, "We have not done much in life as we never got such opportunities. I want these women to continue to do good work and never stop it."
Preeti Ranka, the chairperson of the women empowerment wing of the Sangh, said: "In our daily lives we get so busy that we tend to forget our elders. All they need from us is some time. We wanted to honour them and also thank them because what we are today is because of them," she said.
Madhu Bantia, another organsier, said many elderly women who couldn't walk also agreed to attend the event and climb the stage. "It was a great honour for us that they all agreed to come," she added.
Women took part in many competitions such as a fancy dress competition with the theme - historical couples and dance competitions.