An interview with chairperson to A.P. Women & Childrens welfare association - Dr. T.V. Ratnam

Dr. Tripurana Venkata Ratnam was born in a family that had ties with politics and always enjoyed close rapport with the people around. She is a doctorate in political science.

In 1983, at a young age she was elected as MLA from Cheepurupalli constituency in Srikakulam district. She represented India at the international women summit held in Beijing in 1994. In October 1996, CM Sri. Chandrababu Naidu appointed her as the chairperson to A.P. Women & Children’s welfare association. Ever since, she has wielded the authority. Dr. Venkata Ratnam has strived for the welfare and betterment of women and children restlessly.

She spent few minutes with HamaraShehar and explained about her work and the activities of the association:

Q: What actions and plans are being undertaken by A.P. Women and Children’s welfare association for the development of women in state?

A: Our association works under the supervision of the central government. We believe in betterment of the women through enhancement of literacy in them, and programs are planned accordingly. Courses in computers, tailoring, and few correspondence courses for those who failed in their matriculation are being conducted presently. All these schemes are implemented through non-Governmental organisations.

Q: What are the aims and ambitions of the association?

A: All the schemes are directed for, by and belong to women. The main thrust is to increase the participation and leadership for women in all the fields. That's why, care is taken to see that the secretarial, presidential posts, in all the firms that are benefited by our schemes, are held by only women. Awareness has to be created towards all the welfare schemes being implemented by the government, spending crores of money. What schemes are available through government? How to apply for the schemes and who can avail the opportunity? All this information has to go to the root level, to each and every remote nook of the state. All those who are eligible, have to avail the welfare schemes and that’s our aim. Our programs are directed towards this awareness only.

Q: Are there branches of the association in each district so that people can access the schemes easily?

A: There are no special branches in each district. But, special officers belonging to central social welfare organisation, work in the districts allocated for them and submit their reports. These field officers, as they are called, look after two to three districts at a time.

Q: What eligibilities should any N.G.O. possess to avail the funds of the association?

A: Any organisation, which has registered for three years continuously, with its own capital and maximum women participation, can avail the funds. The founder should own 10 percent of the main capital. Organisation should provide the annual reports of the last three years to our association management. Then our officials would prepare pre-funding and pre- appraising reports, after which the board decides whether the funding should be made to the NGO or not.

Q: Which sector does the board prefers to help by allotting the schemes?

A: These Schemes are mainly targeted toward the women below the poverty line.

Q: As the chairperson of the welfare board, what do you see as the main problems that women are facing?

A: As today’s woman progresses, development on one hand, violence and brutal attacks on the other hand are growing on women. They are subjected to more pressure both at home and at offices. After all this, they don’t even get the recognition that they deserve.

Q: What do you think is the reason for this increasing violence on women?

A: Society doesn’t seem to have digested the fact that women are actually realising their dreams along with men and achieving success by coming out of their kitchens. Otherwise, what may be the reason for the women to be teased in the midst of state capital by men, that too by the educated kind.

Q: Then where’s the solution for this?

A: There should be a shift in the way society thinks and it should start at home. Women should emerge as a powerful union. Only laws or legislation and police can’t help. I believe a united woman force can reduce the crime rate by 60%.

Q: What change do you think should come in the way of thinking for women to set their standard of living?

A: One shouldn’t wait for someone to come and help them. Women should decide their goals according to their socio-economic standards and reflect on their future with boundless self-confidence. “United we win”, should be the motto for Success.

Q: What is the present status of women? What kinds of changes are seen, if any?

A: Todays woman is oscillating between, “What should have been” and “What can be done” . None of them want to restrict themselves, just to home, also none of them are moving fast enough too. 70’s had witnessed welfare programmes, which turned into development programs for women in 80’s. So there’s a shift from welfare to development. 90-95 had seen the major upheaval in this field. International summit for women in ’94 at Beijing gave thrust on this change. 1995-2000 can be called as “Empowerment” period, when women from all walks of life, irrespective of class, creed and age realised their potential to struggle, and raised voice against suppression. No longer from now, women would surely achieve the equal status in society in all terms and there’s no doubt about that.

Q: Tell us about the changes that you have brought in the functioning of board after taking over the charge…

A: Since 1953, this board was seen under the name of “Central social welfare board”. Which was renamed as A.P. state child and women welfare association in 1999. I didn’t know about the social advisory board and the related schemes, before I because the chair- person. The money used to go to only certain regions, due to the lack of awareness about the schemes in other areas. Surprisingly, men used to benefit from the schemes in the name of women welfare. After I came, I saw that more preference should be given to women in allocating the schemes for women. Now women are free enough to benefit out of it. I had seen that the dissemination of the profits of these schemes are not only restricted to big organisations in cities but also to smaller organisation in remote villages, organisations which don’t function with competence. Thereby, I have brought the annual shakthi mela to the state and we have celebrated such functions 4 times in a year in our own state.

Q: Future Plans...

A: Plans are on the cards to establish women development agencies, one each for each district to enable women's access the documentation and details about the welfare schemes. We are sure, we can achieve this soon. We are also holding discussions to implement strict monitoring to cease the duplication of government schemes. Also, there is proposal to distribute the addition process of these organisations to enable correct and lawful services to women.

Q: Well you belong to politics too! What do you think is the present plight of women in that sector?

A: We now have 33% reservation for women. If the count of women members are more in the legislature councils, acts that provide a platform for women development can be framed and brought into use. Proper implementation of reservations for women needs another strong united movement from women.

Q: What’s your message for women?

A: New millennium and the 21st Century belongs to women. Equality can’t be brought just by pushing away men from the way, but can be brought only by reforming their thoughts and to get them stride forward with women. Decide your future with self-confidence and strive for that.