IGNOU celebrates Dr. Ambedkar's birth anniversary

The Indira Gandhi National Open University’s (IGNOU’s) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Chair on Social Change and Development celebrated the 121st birth anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar by screening the documentary film ‘The Holy Wives’ with the help of a NGO, Ahwaan Foundation in the Convention Centre of the University’s headquarters in the capital.

Prof. Vimal Thorat, Director of the Chair, spoke about the documentary film which brings forth the conventions and social stigmas related to girls forced in prostitution in puberty and pre-puberty age. She felt that the conventions are still the same for women. Ambedkar championed the cause of women empowerment through tremendous efforts in his lifetime. It is thus appropriate to celebrate his ideas today with the screening of this film. 

Mr. Ritesh Sharma, founder of Ahwaan and producer of the documentary shared his experience while making the film. It took him two years to portray the emotions and reality of the state of prostitution prevailing in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. He brought forward the fact that these states have implemented laws to protect such women and portray the effects after such implementation.

The screening of the film was attended by the students and staff members of the University showcasing the life and struggle of Devadasis in Karnataka, Mathammas in Andhra Pradesh and Bedinies in Madhya Pradesh.

The film documents the life of a woman, who is raped in the name of tradition even before she could understand the meaning of sex and the impoverished life that she leads till death. It also goes deep into the struggle of a woman as this community forges to maintain her dignity and self-respect.

The session concluded with the comments and discussions after its screening.