By A O News Service
NAHARLGUN, June 28: Applauding selfless services rendered by Oju Welfare Association (OWA) to the needy, down trodden sections of the society and sexually exploited victims, Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra said that founder-chairperson late Binny Yanga, a Padmshree awardee, deserves salutation for her farsightedness for creating such a life giving institution.
After his maiden inspection of various activities of OWA here on Friday along with his wife Neelam Misra, WCD & SIJETA commissioner Gamli Padu, director Yumlam Kaha, other senior civil and police officers, escorted by OWA chairperson Anya Ratan, Dr Mishra addressing the OWA fraternity said that the OWA despite its huge responsibility and limited resources has been justifying its motto ‘service to humanity’.
“Its continuation with commitment would yield greater welfare of the society, particularly the helpless (oju) to ensure their secured future, which has highly impressed me”, the governor said, adding all human beings belonging to top species on the earth live and die. Thus, he exhorted one and all, particularly state’s officers and rich to help and ensure that all children get educated. He cited the example of a six-year-old girl whom he met near Raj Bhawan and leaning she was not going to school got her admitted and personally gifted Rs 10,000 as a fixed deposit in a bank which she will get after attaining 18 years of age.
Referring to three special category children of OWA who need financial support to make them normal as explained by Ratan earlier, the governor assured to take steps for their treatment besides take up with the state Govt, department concerned particular for renovation of rotten wooden structure of Oju Craft Centre here and Oju Mission School at Papu Nallah. He asked Ratan to meet him in Raj Bhawan on Saturday.
He suggested OWA for holding open session regularly for creating a homely atmosphere for the sufferers to forget their past and yoga session for gaining physical and mental well being.
Ratan, in her address, recalled how the OWA started in 1979 and officially registered as NGO in 1980, but the paltry central grants are received very late despite huge responsibilities and burdens with rising number of inmates.
She sought intervention of the governor for financial help to run OWA effectively, particularly for renovation of dilapidated structures of craft training centre and Oju Mission School, both threatened by land erosion due to rivers flowing nearby.
Pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union WCD & Textile Minister Smriti Irani with a gale weaving local lady taken in Raj Bhawan here will be sent across the state as approved by the PM, he informed.
Earlier, the governor and his wife showed keen interest during visit to craft sales counter (CSC), legal aid centre, woman help line-181 (WHL), child care home, Swadhar Griha, Shishu Griha and craft training centre (CTC) where Ratan, Padu and Jana Sikyan Sanstha (JSS), under Union Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Ministry, director Pankahj Deori, advocate Jaya Doji explained various activities in details.
Ratan and JSS board member Pradeep Kumar informed them that two CSCs, including one at Itanagar are the only source of income.
In all 479 victims of domestic violence and sexually exploited have sought help through WHL so far, manager Binny Yachu said, adding about 40 to 50 calls are received daily.
Three-month beautician course is given for only Rs 300 in two batches of 20 each, Deori said, adding the trainees included from Aalo and Pasighat.
At tailoring and embroidery training centre, trainee Mihin Yakan said that she wants to set up her own trailing shop, when Ratan said both training centres have made many self employed. The bead-made necklace and ear rings evoked their keen interest.
Responding to question about 75-year-old Nepali woman rescued from Namsai district recently by the Army, Ratan explained in details about her tragic condition and sent by DC Tapasya Raghab for rehabilitation.
The colourful cultural programmes presented by OWA inmates were heart touching, particularly Indradhansu state Arunachal presented by Komdek Maya, Wabir Taku, Logyo Tapa, Bedik Tahar, Hade Tape, Milp Tami, Picha Tajik and Taji Mamang reflecting unity in diversity of culturally rich Arunachal & Arunachalees while Jay Bharti Bande Bharati rented the air reflecting greatness of India through the poses and postures of Amini Nabam, Yana Taba, Etha Tara, Mipe Nabm & Techi Patup.
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