14 Feb 2013 - One Billion Rising - Kochi Event

A Day Kochi Rose in Unison for Its Women!

By - Lt Col (Retd) D Purushothaman Pillay

One Billion Rising!( OBR ) is a global one day campaign by women, for women, on Thursday, 14 Feb 2013, commemorating the 15th anniversary of the 1998-born V-Day Organisation, a women's movement initiated by the 59 year old American feminist, performer, artivist, playwright of "The Vagina Monologues" and world renowned activist - Eve Ensler, herself a sad victim of paternal abuse. This movement calls for an end to violence and for justice and gender equality for women all around the world.

This world-wide rally is being held in around 197 countries, aided and supported by more than 13000 organizations, it is believed that supporters would take time from their busy lives, jobs, homes and businesses to congregate in a central piazza, in their respective cities, and dance in a symbolic show of solidarity, and avow their refusal to accept violence against women anymore, anywhere. The 'One Billion' in the slogan refers to the number of women world over, who have already suffered outrage and are courageous survivors of various types of abuse. According to the data analyzed by the V-Day Organization, there is a strong likelihood that one in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime, and therefore, they have given a clarion call to rise up, and demand an end to all manner of violence against women. They say one billion women violated is indeed a shameful atrocity, but then having one billion women, all around the globe, on this day, dancing, will be a start of a glorious new revolution!

The evening started with singer Usha Uthup riding a float flagged off by Bishop Sebastian Edayantharath and M Lakshmi, from the Rajendra Maidan to the Durbar Hall stage, accompanied by an enthusiastic procession of people from all walks of life. There was a fair sprinkling of representatives from a variety of fields like politics, law, cinema, performing arts, journalism, writing, TV, NGOs, religious organizations, academic institutions and the obvious women organizations, who came in large numbers to actively participate in this pioneering movement - OBR.

The event is proud to have an art installation by Contemporary Visual Artist Sajitha Shankar, which symbolized the inner 'Shakthi' of the Indian woman rising to end the violence. The proceedings on the grounds, started with lighting of lamps around this art installation along with a communal prayer, thereafter, Justice Usha Sukumaran administered an oath to the assembly of people, appropriate to the occasion. Justice V R Krishna Iyer spoke with passion and inspired the multitude in attendance to support women and shun any kind of violence against them. It was also very heartening to see another leading citizen of Kochi, the enterprising Industrialist Mr Jose Thomas, the visionary Head of the Choice Group, voluntarily take some precious time out from his busy schedule, to not only speak a few words, but also shake a leg with Usha Uthup and other dancers on the stage, in support of this crusade. In the context of a spurt in the spate of incidents of violence against women, some very old cases and many new ones have been grabbing the headlines lately; it is such wonderful heartfelt gestures of advocacy, solidarity and encouragement, from the leading citizens in any city, that will ensure socially-relevant and meaningful campaigns like this one, get widely noticed and will ultimately succeed in acheiving their noble aims.

After the aforementioned eloquent oration; there was a new energy that was unleashed on the assembled throng, with the effervescence created by 'Didi'- Usha Uthup's soulful rendition of her compilation, in her mellifluous voice. Ranjini Haridas added her share of vivaciousness with her enthusiastic spontaneity and infectious zeal. The various songs regaled the audience, it must be said that the selection was apt and well thought-out, befitting the spirit that was required to be created for the occasion. I would like to make a special mention of two of Didi's melodies - one devoted to the patriotic malayalee "Ente Keralam Ehtre Sundaram" and the other an exotic medley of hindi film hits "Bindiya Chamkegi" - they were crowd-rousing, instant hits with the masses, all were seen wildly enjoying these foot-tapping numbers. The event also had other artistes performing a variety of acts, for the entertainment of the assembled crowd. It was indeed a most memorable evening, gleefully celebrated with exuberance, high energy and gay abandon.

Let us hope this great show of solidarity by the local citizenry, would go a long way in ensuring, that our wonderful Kochi, fulfils the primary V-Day Organisation vision, of providing in this city -"a world where all women can live fearlessly,  safely and freely".