Skilling Women and Making them Financially Empowered at DEI Women's Polytechnic

This week we have Ms. Binti Shrivastava who writes about 

Skilling Women and Making them Financially Empowered.

Ms. Binti is a physics undergraduate, but found her calling in design moving into textile design and then becoming an adept in interior design. She is an Alumni of the Women's Polytechnic of Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI) before joining them as honorary staff.

Ms. Binti writes...

India is progressing at a very fast pace, however at macro level the policy makers have shown their deep concern with regards to inadequate gross enrolment ratio in higher education specifically for women in the latest National Education Policy (NEP) 2017.

In Dayalbagh over hundred years back, education system for women was planned and started which now integrates education for women from pre-nursery to post-doctoral studies. Some milestones of evolution of women’s education system in Dayalbagh are:

In Dayalbagh, skill development programmes for women can be traced back to 1924 when diploma courses were started for women in cooking, knitting, sewing, embroidery, science of health and hygiene and child care. In 1938, another step forward in this direction was taken by bringing "Mahila Associations" into existence where women in groups started manufacturing of clothes, spices, eatables like pickle, fruit concentrates etc.

Inaugural on 26th July 2004

Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI) has always taken best practices, many of which were time tested prior in the Dayalbagh community. On the same lines after almost 80 years of experience in skill development programmes for women being in existence it was formally introduced in the education system in the form of establishment of Women’s Polytechnic for skill based education specifically for women who did not want to continue in the conventional higher education system of DEI or wanted to have a taste of both conventional as well as skill based education system.

With the aim of improving the socio-economic status of women, Women’s Polytechnic started in 2004 to offer job oriented courses to women with the concept of no barriers in terms of caste, creed, religion or even age.

2004

DEI Women’s Polytechnic was inaugurated on 26^th July 2004 by Most Revered Professor Prem Saran Satsangi Sahab, Chairman Advisory Committee on Education, Dayalbagh. In the year of inauguration one year certificate programmes in Food Processing & Preservation, Dress Designing & Tailoring, Textile Designing & Printing, Interior-Exterior Design & Decoration and Office Management & Secretarial Practice were started.

2005

From 2005-06, the Women’s Polytechnic was declared as a women’s wing of the DEI Technical College and 3-year Diploma courses were started in Electronics Engineering, Interior Designing & Decoration and Textile Printing. Also 2-year diploma courses were started in Garment Technology, Modern Office Management & Secretarial Practice and Food Processing, Preservation and Nutrition. 

2006

DEI ever since its beginning had a concept of lateral movements there by giving chance to brighter students to move to the highest level of education. The same was extended to the students of Women’s Polytechnic as well. The students of one-year certificate programme on the basis of their academic merit were allowed to make a lateral shift to the corresponding diploma programme after successfully clearing the lateral entry test.

2008

Two National Workshops on False Ceiling & Flooring were organised by the Department of Interior Design & Decoration which had wide industry participation there by giving an exposure to its students on the latest technology and trends in the world.

2009

Lateral movement was further extended to the students of diploma in electronics engineering directly to B.Tech after successfully clearing the lateral entry test and doing short term bridge courses in order to be at par with the B.Tech students.

2010

National workshop GARTEX-2010 was organised by Department of Textile Designing and Department of Garment Technology on the latest trends in the field of textile designing and garment technology.

2012 & Beyond

A new 3-year diploma programme in Architecture Assistantship was started in 2012 which also offered lateral shift to B.Tech. Further new courses on Vocational diploma in Automobile and Information Technology were started. These programmes also have an option of lateral movement to higher degree programmes.

Open & Distance Learning Mode

DEI had ventured into open and distance learning (ODL) since 2004 and to extend its women empowerment drive beyond its campus commenced offering the courses of Women’s Polytechnic as well in ODL mode. Further to have greater flexibility the concept of modularisation of courses was envisioned and in 2014 the courses of Women’s Polytechnic were converted into 9 week modular courses offering flexibility of completing modules there by earning course credits and upon completion of required modules and credits for a certificate/diploma the students are granted an appropriate certificate/diploma.

First Staff of Women's Polytechnic

Community Outreach

In 2014 in the tribal belt of Harda district in MP in village Rajaborari, with a vision to set up REZ (Rural Economic Zone), the Women’s Polytechnic moved forward in setting up of ADyNaM (Agriculture & Dairy Nano Processing of Multi Products) and ATMA (Apparel & Toy Making Association). These efforts were made in order to train the women from the weaker section with various skills which generate self confidence in them and make them self-sufficient to earn a sustainable livelihood.

Management, Coordinators and Staff of Women's Polytechnic

Placements

Students of different programmes of Women’s Polytechnic are widely placed in the industry because of the unique industry aligned curriculum which has a perfect blend of theory and practical courses. Apart from this the students have an edge over the rest due the core courses that each of our student mandatorily takes during the course of study at DEI. Apart from being placed in the industry, we have good number of students turned entrepreneurs doing very well in their domains of expertise.

Senior women of Dayalbagh तेरह छप्पर leading an enriching & socially fulfilling life

Aldous Huxley, the English writer, novelist, philosopher said,

“The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm.”

Respecting our elders is a value and quality that should be ingrained in everyone. In today’s rapidly evolving world and with the meaning of family unit shrinking, elders are no longer treated with respect.

Today, I bring you a story of these amazing senior women in Dayalbagh, living an active and socially useful life, a story (and the photographs) that will bring cheer to your hearts. The story of the

Senior women of Dayalbagh Terah Chappar (तेरह छप्पर) leading an enriching & socially active and useful life

This story is written by Dr. Gur Pyari Satsangi, In-charge of Terah Chappar (तेरह छप्पर) and Professor in the Faculty of Education at Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI), assisted by our regular contributor Prof. Sarla Paul, Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Education at DEI.

Let your hearts glow,
Anurag
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Dr. Gur Pyari and Prof. Sarla Paul write...

Complementing old age Robert Browning a Victorian poet remarked:

“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be,

The last of life, for which the first was made.

Our times are in His hands who saith,

A whole I planned, youth shows but half;

Trust God: See all, nor be afraid.”

People are generally apprehensive of the repercussions of old age. Their apprehensions are based on the prevailing scene in society where there is a loss of compassion and respect for the old and debilitated members of the family. We have become desensitized towards our core values which are an indispensable part of our culture. It is regretful to see that parents and grand parents who willingly helped their offspring and willingly endured extreme hardships with a sense of pleasure in bringing up their children and grand children, are neglected and ill treated by their own kith and kin in return when they grow old and are in dire need of help and support from them.

Getting old is an inevitable process. With advancement of age, the physical strength and vigour are no doubt affected but, on the other hand, with old age comes maturity, wisdom and insight, which should be utilized by the younger generation for their well being. There is an Italian proverb which says ‘If nothing is going well, call your grandmother.’

The older generations needs society's affection and attention. Caring for them benefits us in many ways and prepares us to face life in fulfillment and satisfaction. In bringing up and nurturing children the major role is that of mothers. They must be accorded proper respect and importance in the family and the society at large when they are old.

Emphasizing the need of giving proper status to women in the society, Revered Sir Anand Sarup ji remarked, ‘Let the Indians rise and become conscious of the vital importance of giving liberal and useful education to their women, of behaving towards the fair sex in a manner worthy of them, of according to them the respect and regard which is their right, and with the grace of the Supreme Father, we shall progress and prosper and in the fullness of time become a model society worthy of emulation by other ambitious and progressive communities of India.’

As is expressed in the foregoing lines, due care has been taken for safe, respectful, self dependent and socially useful life of the old ladies of the colony of Dayalbagh. They lead a respectful life together inside the colony. It is designated as Terah Chhappar (तेरह छप्पर - a line of thirteen quarters with thatched roofs, rather tiled roofs). It is an opportunity given to them based on what H. W. Longfellow an American poet stated:

‘For age is opportunity no less than youth itself, though in another dress,

And as the evening twilight fades away,

The sky is filled with stars invisible by the day.’  

Inception of Terah Chhappar and its Historical Perspective:

These Quarters were constructed towards the western side of the Community Satsang Hall for the stay of Satsangis in the year 1918 after the foundation of the colony of Dayalbagh in 1915. In the year, 1993 it was converted into an ‘Old Age Home’ and it was meant exclusively for the residence of old ladies of the community. These women are allotted independent accommodation. Their houses consist of one room with an outer enclosed veranda and an attached toilet at present. At the front side is a vast ground enclosed by a boundary wall  which serves the purpose of safety and privacy.

Terah Chappar was started with two major objectives. Firstly, enabling the old ladies of the colony to participate in Dayalbagh and Satsang Activities independently, with cooperation and sense of social responsibility without any  interference from their family members. Secondly, to take part in the organisation of welfare programme for the old ladies and children of the community. The scope of activities of the residents has developed manifold and at present the activities of Terah Chappar residents include:

Regular and Systematic Routine: 

The women follow a prescribed regular and systematic routine and thus keep themselves busy through the day and are relieved from unnecessary idle talks, loneliness or negative thoughts. Their daily  routine spans from 4:30 AM to 9 PM. The day starts at 4:30 AM, when they get ready to offer prayer in the Community Satsang Hall. This is followed by Physical Training exercises in a group and then taking part in agricultural work which is a fundamental  part of the life within  the colony. After Breakfast, which is provided to them on minimal subscription in which they can also offer assistance turn-wise,  they take part is some other  selfless service activities suited to  their interest and capability. It is both community service and also  keeps  them  engaged. This serves as a means of fulfillment of their earnest inclination and yearning to remain active and useful to the community till their last breath.

After lunch which is served to them in the dining hall, they take  rest for a short while  in the afternoon. There is arrangement for regular visits of a team of doctors who are available to them to keep them mentally and physically fit and healthy. In the evening they attend Satsang in the community Satsang Hall. Their day concludes with an  early dinner followed by collective prayer in their own hall and then they go to bed with a sense of utmost satisfaction, rejuvenating for the next day.

   

Production of Material for Consumption in Dayalbagh:

The Ladies engage themselves in production and supply of articles for Dayalbagh residents or Satsangis which also serves to support their income. The various skill-based activities include weaving mattresses, chairs, stools, table mats, etc. handicrafts i.e. crochet work, embroidery, block printing, assisting in the preparation of baked food items i.e. Nan Khatai etc..

Seva Activities:

The Ladies take part in multiple Seva activities in an organised and formally assigned manner. The various  seva include Pahra duty (watch & ward duty), helping medically unfit and handicapped ladies, assisting in the preparation of breakfasts, lunch and dinner, extending assistance and support in organising various events and functions in their premises, preparation of Aam ka Panna  for the children who give pahra (watch and ward duty) in the day time during summer vacations etc.

Cultural and Personality Development Programmes:

They take part in cultural activities which include singing devotional songs, dancing and dramatisation on current topics etc. Their organisation of annual cultural function is a source of their entertainment and an outlet and expression of their feelings and emotions, and helps in purging from their minds of any strong negative and undesirable emotions. These serve for their wholesome personality development. On such occasions  they are blessed with the presence of Revered Prof. Satsangi.

Games and Sports:

It is an annual feature in which they take part in various games and sports with full  energy and vigour and a cheering audience, re-living their highly active days. It gives them pleasure and makes their minds active and energetic

Organisation of Summer School for Children:

This a novel  feature which started from the year 2003. Since then it is regularly organised for 21 days starting around 5th May and culminating by the first week of June  every year. In it children living in Dayalbagh, studying in classes one to ten, get their names enrolled. They follow a regular routine, get coaching in various school subjects and take part in physical exercises, cultural, literary and dramatic activities. Certain competitions are organised in which all the children participate with full zeal. The main purpose is to help children utilize their summer time fruitfully and for the ladies, it is an additional avenue for rendering  selfless service where the women of Terah Chappar actively participate.

Organising Literacy Classes:

Education is the basic need of all especially of women folk as has been emphatically pronounced by Sir Anand Sarup ji, the August Founder of Dayalbagh, ‘The Indian women have begun to show signs of an awakening, taking the foremost  part in the varied public activities, suffering extreme hardships most cheerfully, adapting themselves to new and novel conditions in a splendid manner and generally showing to the world that, given suitable opportunities, they will not be found lacking grit, determination and enthusiasm.’ These classes are arranged with the support of literate ladies for the benefit of those who remained deprived of this facility during their formative years. It is never too late to learn.

My deep respect for this great example of Community Living!