GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, NOV 11
With an aim to help the disabled women to become self-reliant and earn extra income for their families, Inner Wheel Club Ahmedabad South is handing over 14 Pink Electric Autos to women with disabilities, said its president Meenakshiben said here on Friday.
Speaking with navjeevanexpress.com, Meenakshiben said, “Some time ago the members of Inner Wheel Club Ahmedabad South came in contact with some physically challenged women. These women needed help to earn their livelihood and were determined to work hard. The team members realized that these women with disabilities were largely neglected in the society and were facing difficulties even in finding suitable jobs. After some brain-storming sessions, the ICW team has drawn a plan to help the disabled women to become self-reliant and earn extra income for their families. Thus germinated Pink Auto by women and for women initiative. We are also holding the AGM of MP, Rajasthan and Gujarat IWCs for two days – Friday and Saturday.”
- Under the ‘Hosla’ programme, 14 Pink electric auto rickshaws were gifted and more will be covered in this year-long initiative
- Inner Wheel Club Ahmedabad South has been actively serving for years to empower needy women through various health, education, self-reliance initiatives and campaigns.
- ‘Hosla’ emphasizes the empowerment of women with disabilities as the challenges they face are more complex in nature and provides a platform to empower them and enable them to live their lives with confidence and fearlessness.
Roopaliben, the coordinator of this initiative, said, “A team of our club members worked around the clock to execute this plan meticulously, We have coordinated with Apang Manav Seva Sangh and received 35 applications from its women members and 14 have cleared the screening test. Then we joined hands with Atul Auto which imparted auto driving and mechanical skills to them for over three months under its CSR initiative. Ahmedabad Traffic Police DCP Anandbhai Desai has instilled confidence among them by arranging a visit to the traffic police control room and also the security measures of women. It was followed by guiding them to the driving license.”
When asked about the financial plan to buy the autos, Roopaliben explained “SEWA Bank has granted loans for a period of three years. The Central Government also gives subsidy under its special scheme. All of them have paid Rs 60,000 as down payment. Along with this, corporate giants like Sankalp Restaurant, Vadilal Ice Cream, Kintech Energy, Annapurna Steel and many others have partnered with us to make this first-of-its-kind initiative a grand success in Gujarat.”
Another ICW member from Mehsana, Rakhi Desai said, “Under the ‘Hosla’ programme, 14 Pink electric auto rickshaws are being gifted to disabled women of Ahmedabad today in the first phase. We have planned to cover more such women over a period of time so that they can become self-reliant and stand on their feet. We urge all to utilize the services of these Pink Women for women and help sustain them economically.”
Inner Wheel Club which is the women’s wing of Rotary Club and is active in 104 countries globally and one such chapter is Inner Wheel Club of Ahmedabad South.
Inner Wheel Club Ahmedabad South has been actively serving for years to empower needy women through various health, education, self-reliance initiatives and campaigns.
‘Hosla’ emphasizes the empowerment of women with disabilities as the challenges they face are more complex in nature and provides a platform to empower them and enable them to live their lives with confidence and fearlessness.
District ISO Varsha Shah was also present at the Pink Auto ceremony.
