Bangalore, March 12, 2024: On the occasion of the celebration of the International Women’s Day - 2024, The Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service Society®, Shimoga, the ‘development arm’ of the diocese of Shimoga received the prestigious Kittur Rani Chennamma State Award for the year 2023-24 from the Government of Karnataka. The award is given for the Organization’s work in the field of Women Empowerment. The organization’s work of serving the marginalised, downtrodden, underprivileged communities both in the rural areas and slums in the cities and organizing series of activities for their upliftment is recognized by the Government. The award was conferred on 12 March 2024 during the celebration of the International Women’s Day 2024 at Jawahar Bal Bhavan. Kasturba Road, Cubbon Park, Bangalore - 560 001. Rev. Fr Clifford Roshan Pinto, the Director of Chaitanya and Secretary of SMSSS received the award from Mrs Lakshmi R. Hebbalkar, Honourable Minister of Women and Child Development, and Disabled and Senior Citizens Empowerment in the Government of Karnataka. The award consists of Citation, Memento, Shawl, Garland, Mysore Peta, a pack of dry fruits and an amount of Rs 50,000/-.
In his words of appreciation Bishop Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop of the diocese of Shimoga noted, “The award is for the tremendous work done to organize, educate, empower and emancipate women for the last three decades and more by the successive Directors and the dedicated staff of SMSSS. CONGRATULATIONS to all of them and especially the incumbent Director Fr Clifford Roshan Pinto for his committed service to the welfare of women and children.”
Ever since The Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service® came into existence on 11 August 1989, the organization is at the service of the poor and marginalized families in the three civil districts of Shimoga, Chitradurga and Davanagere. Its work in the area of Women Empowerment and Child Development is beyond measures. Through the formation of Self help Groups SMSSS has empowered and emancipated more than 20,000 women irrespective of their caste, creed and culture. Presently 13,500 women are directly associated with SMSSS through different developmental activities. For the holistic growth of women and for their economic stability Streebandhu Vividhoddesha Souharda Sahakari Niyamita was formed in December 2013. Presently this Sahakari has 10,350 primary members (Women of the Self Help Groups formed by SMSSS). Through leadership training, support for income generating activities, legal awareness programs, Entrepreneurship Awareness Programs, Entrepreneurship Development Programs, etc. SMSSS has brought in tremendous change in the lives of all these women who are extremely happy and proud to continue their association with SMSSS. The continuous accompaniment from SMSSS has motivated 4,856 women to initiate different income generating activities to earn their livelihood.
Apart from the yeomen services of SMSSS in the area of Women Empowerment, presently the organization is also supporting 2,100 economically poor children for their education. The integral development of all these children is taken care by organizing regular camps for all these children and regular meeting for their parents. Children receive support for their education till they complete their education. The other areas of interventions of The Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service Society are support to 1,200 small and marginal farmers, capacity building of all stake holders and the staff, good governance, etc. Major intervention in the area of health and development is organizing regular health checkup and medical camps through the active collaboration of Sarji Hospital, Shimoga, Nanjappa Life Care and Nanjappa Hospital, Shimoga, Sahyadri Multispeciality Hospital, Shimoga and idrishti Eye Hospital, Shimoga. Presently a series of programs are implemented for different groups of people. Through various skill trainings programs for the school dropouts SMSSS has helped individuals to start something out of the box and build a secure future. As part of their study tour, several organizations visit SMSSS. All are admired by our diverse activities and all inclusive approach. Kittur Rani Chennamma State Award is indeed an added boost to strive for more and an invitation to work for the most marginalised with more vigour and commitment.
The Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service Society has reached this height exclusively because of the generous financial assistance from all the donor agencies and individual donors for these many years. Their support added with the guidance from the successive Presidents of the organization, the commitment of the successive Directors and the dedication of the Staff have made a positive impact. May God bless Each and Everyone involved in bringing smiles on the faces of all.
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