Female drivers of dump trucks, RO Plant Operators, teachers, lady health workers and ex-councilors receive the awards
Deputy Commissioner Tharparkar distributes awards at a ceremony organized by Thar Foundation and SECMC
By GR Junejo
Mithi: Some Thari women hailing from various areas of Desert District Tharparkar were honored on Monday with awards as recognition for their contribution in different spheres of life.
The Thari Women Award ceremony was organized here by Thar Foundation and Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC).
The women who received the awards for Women Empowerment were Ms. Khimya, a Lady Health Worker Supervisor, Ms. Manjoo Bai Kolhi, Ms. Shakutla, Ex-Councilors, Ms. Hina Kolhi, and Ms. Veenti Bheel, RO Plant Operators of Thar Foundation, Ms. Amboo Bai and Ms. Jeema, Dump Truck Drivers of SECMC, Ms. Vijay Laxmi, Ms. Bhagwanti and Ms. Jay Paradha, Teachers of Govt. Girls High School, Islamkot, Ms. Ayesha, Ms. Cheena and Ms. Sandhya, teachers at Thar Foundation Schools.
Before the award ceremony, schoolgirls presented tableaus and speeches on women empowerment and the contribution of women in society.
Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner of Tharparkar Muhammad Nawaz Soho said, “Economic development and prosperity of the most underdeveloped district Tharparkar cannot be achieved until the women of the region are provided with equal livelihood and income generation opportunities.”
“Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and overall economic growth without active women participation have no value,” he added.
DC Thar said that great poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai has also greatly highlighted the role of women in his poetry compiled as Shah Jo Risalo. “The society of Sindh must thank him for signifying women’s role in the rural setup of Sindh as he (Bhittai) considers them Heroes of Sindh.”
SECMC and TF Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Syed Abul Fazal Rizvi said it was a daunting task to onboard Thari unskilled women of a rural setting to become trained industrialized dump truck drivers and RO plant operators. But, he added, the determination and will to bring them on board paid off.
He said that the industry in Thar is booming keeping in view the potential of exploitation of natural resources like Coal, granite, and the China Clay. “The operators and investors must come forward and dare to invest in the rural women of Thar and they will have handsome returns”, he said.
Ghulam Nabi Sahar, District Education Officer, Syeda Sabeen Shah, Manager Education Thar Foundation, Kuldeep Parwani, President Traders Association, Dr. Shankar Wankwani, Civil Society Representative, Abdul Ghani Bajeer, President Press Club Islamkot, and others also spoke on the occasion. Kamlesh Pagarani and Rashna Zameer moderated the session.
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