LUCKNOW As part of the ongoing sesquicentennial year celebrations, the students and teachers of the two city-based Loreto schools -- Loreto Convent Intermediate College and St Agnes’ Loreto Day School -- along with the two outreach schools Jagriti and Pushpa Vidyalaya initiated a walkathon from Loreto Convent to the General Post Office (GPO) in Hazratganj on Saturday.
The students walked in solidarity, holding placards illustrating the maxims of Mary Ward, to propagate the message of ‘Women Empowerment’ and to make known to society that women no longer will tolerate any form of oppression. The students then enacted street plays, at the GPO crossing, to raise their voice against discrimination and inequality towards women.
Ananya Tiwari, a student said, “My heart goes out to all those women across the world who are subjected to grave atrocities, violence and injustice. As a student of an institution that was founded by a fearless and perspicacious nun, Mary Ward, who is an inspiration for all of us, I take it as my duty to stand up for the rights of women.”
The empowered young students said that they wish to emulate their founder, who fought tooth and nail against myriad impediments that came her way when she began her mission to establish schools to educate the girl child. She was subjected to brutal opposition by the then rigid and conservative society but she was bent on bringing to fruition her noble vision. Mary Ward worked relentlessly to educate and empower women with unwavering conviction, resolute and courage, teacher said.
{{/usCountry}}The empowered young students said that they wish to emulate their founder, who fought tooth and nail against myriad impediments that came her way when she began her mission to establish schools to educate the girl child. She was subjected to brutal opposition by the then rigid and conservative society but she was bent on bringing to fruition her noble vision. Mary Ward worked relentlessly to educate and empower women with unwavering conviction, resolute and courage, teacher said.
{{/usCountry}}The play depicted the fiendish and ruthless treatment of society towards women, like- domestic violence, child marriage, sexual assault and denial of education. Angel Singh, another student, said, “In the Hindu mythology, women are regarded as the embodiment of power, wealth and knowledge, a symbol of life with enormous ability for tolerance and sacrifice, so why do they still have to battle the vices of inequality and injustice? Why are they questioned for following their ambitions and goals?”
The ‘Nukkad Natak’, intrigued many pedestrians and was successful in gathering a large number of onlookers. Gaurav, a passer-by, who witnessed the programme was overwhelmed with emotions and said, “It was nice to see girls getting empowered.” The students, thereafter, walked back from GPO to Loreto Convent where the impactful walkathon came to an end.