Centenary celebrations of Durgabai Deshmukh launched

New Delhi, Jul 17 (UNI) The Central Social Welfare (CSW) Board is observing the birth centenary celebrations of its founder Chairperson Durgabai Deshmukh with a slew of programmes including seminars, workshops and dramatic presentations on her life and mission.

A memorial lecture, nukkad nataks (Street Plays), torch rallies and special publications are being planned to mark the birth centenary of Durgabai, who was born on July 15, 1909, newly-installed CSW chairperson Prema Cariappa told reporters here today.

Durgabai was a multi-faceted personality and created several institutions including the Balika Hindi Patshala, Andhra Mahila Sabha, Council for Social Development and India International Centre, the latter along with her husband C D Deshmukh.

In every state, the State Welfare boards will be active partners in the year-long celebrations.

Founded in 1953 under the stewardship of Durgabai Deshmukh, its first chairperson, the board was the brainchild of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and has during its existence laid the foundation for the growth and development of the voluntary sector in the country.

The board will also formulate a new scheme in the name of Durgabai for the empowerment of the girl child and adolescent girls.

An existing scheme, the Samaj Kalyan Bhavan has been revamped and renamed as Dr Durgabai Deshmukh Samaj Kalyan Bhavan, Ms Cariappa, who has taken over recently, said.

The board has an annual budget of about Rs 200 crore which is given as grant to NGOs.

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