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TERVICE TO HU
HUMANITY
AWARDS FOR
OTARY AW
ROTARY INDIA AWARD 1998
Presented to Brahmacharini Kamla Bai
CITATION
UTY (INDIA)
DIA) TRUST
Hailing from a middle class family in Rajasthan, Brahmacharini Kamla Bai became an unfortunate victim of widowhood at the tender age of 14, barely two years after her marriage. As she was totally illiterate, she found herself in wilderness, with no one to offer support or sustenance in an age when widowhood was considered a curse. Confronted with these heavy odds, Brahmacharini Ji realised well in time that the only way to survive with dignity was to cast away the artificial social barriers and equip herself with sound education. She found for herself a place in Shri Mahavir Mumuksha Mahila Ashram, an orphanage for women, at Shri Mahavirji, an economically and educationally backward town in Sawai Madhopur district. For nearly a decade and a half, Brahmacharini Ji involved herself in acquiring not only formal education but also extensive knowledge of Indian history and culture as also the ancient scriptures. Deeply concerned as she was over the dismal state of female literacy in Rajasthan, which made young girls the hapless victims of social prejudices. Brahmacharini Ji took the initiative of establishing a model girls' school, Digambar Jain Adarsh Vidyalaya, in Shri Mahavirji itself in 1953 with just six girls. By dint of consistent zeal and dedication, the Vidyalaya has by now grown into an ideal seat of learning with over 1800 girls on the rolls. Impressed by her splendid achievemnts, several philanthropists willingly came forward with liberal donations to help in the construction of school and hostel buildings and acquisition of other equiipment in response to her appeal for support. Apart from imparting formal education, the Vidyalaya lays emphasis on inculcation of discipline, character-building and knowledge of scriptures to prepare the students to face life with confidence. Dedicating her entire life to the cause she holds dear, through penance and renunciation, Brahmacharini Ji has provided opportunities to thousands of girls from tribal communities and other deprived sections of society to come out of the dark recesses of illiteracy, overcome social barriers and become economically independent. She has also successfully motivated her students and teachers to provide a new thrust to the literacy promotion programmes in remote rural areas. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to promotion of literacy, especially among girls, ROTARY INDIA AWARD 1998 is hereby conferred on Brahmacharini Kamla Bal.
Calcutta : December 9, 1998
Rajendra K. Saboo
Chairman
प्राकृतविद्या + अक्तूबर-दिसम्बर'98
ar'98
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