Organized by

Supported by
D.No. xxxxx, Near Eedgah, Ashok Nagar,
ANANTAPUR - 515 001
Andhra Pradesh Secunderabad
And
Mail: crdssociety@rediffmail.com
Phone: +91 Anantapur 515 001
Campaign The visiting
Karwan Members
Reservation 1) Ms. Sania Hashmi

Express
2) Ms. Manisha Trivedi
3) Ms. Priyanka Jaiswal
4) Ms. Lakshmi Parmar
A Campaign in support of Women Reservation
5) Ms. Zubeda Shekh
6) Ms. Sultana Shekh
7) Ms. Safiya ano
8) Ms. Abida Bano
9) Ms. Tauheeda Bano
10) Ms. Bimla Devi
11) Ms. Deepti Bharti
Campaign Reservation Express in support of Women
Reservation Bill, to be passed in its present form in the 12) Ms. Misro Devi
Lok Sabha and State Assemblies is launched on May 20, 13) Ms. Bhanwari Devi
2010 in Jhansi city which has its historical significance 14) Ms. Mohini Jatav
for Women Struggles. Three Karvans were flagged off 15) Mr. Sanjay Sharma
from Jhansi which travelled about 15,000 kilometers and

Campaign Reservation Express

16) Mr. Pradeep Kumar
covered about 56 cities and towns all over India.

Initiated by ANHAD, the Campaign Reservation Express

has been endorsed by a large number of women
networks, voluntary organizations and civil society Prominent
groups across India.
participants
As a part of this programme Public Meetings, Press 1. Mrs. Topudurthi
Conferences and cultural progress across India were Kavitha,
hosted by local organizations. Local activists, women Z.P. Chairperson,
leaders, artists, intellectuals and other civil society Anantapur
members have widely participated in these meetings. 2. Ms. Shakuntalamma,
This 25 days campaign was the largest campaign ever in District Vice-
support of the women political participation conceiving President, AITUC,
the idea to implement Reservation for Women in the 3. Ms. Ameena,
A.P. Mahilasamkhya
present form. It acquired a special significance as it is Convener and State Vice-
being organized in the background of a certain President
conservative religious section opposing womens 4. Mrs. Bhanuja,
participant in politics. President, REDS, Kadiri,
5. Mrs. Sirisha, Advocate,
More than 50% of the karwan members were Muslim C.K. Palli
women struggling to get equal citizenship rights and
fighting against discrimination. Internally displaced
women, Dalit women, ordinary grass root workers to
young film makers and senior activists also travelled
along with these teams which represented women from
the states of Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharastra,
Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Delhi, Karnataka, Assam and 1
other states and represented problems faced by them in
 their daily life and demanded the passage of bill in its present form.

More than one lakh leaflets were distributed during the campaign. About 20,000 specially
designed postcards were signed which were for submission to the Prime Minister of India. The
entire activities and movements of the Karwans were updated in the website
www.reservationexrpess.org during the campaign.

It was not only the largest campaign for demanding the passage of Women Reservation Bill, but
it also was a celebration of thousands of groups coming together and in many places local
cultural troupes have also performed in support of the bill and demanding the passing of the
bill in its present form.

The Karwan travelling in Route 2, covering the southern parts of the country has passed through
Anantapur town on its way from Bangalore. The team comprised of 14 prominent members
fighting for women reservation.
Campaign Reservation Express

The meeting, at Anantapur was organized by Crescent Rural Development Society, Anantapur
and was supported by Centre for World Solidarity, Secunderabad and Accion Fraterna,
Anantapur. The meeting was organized in the Lecture Hall cum Library Block of local
Government Arts College. It was attended by about 450 women participants coming from
different parts of the district.

Mr. Saddam Basha, President of CRDS, Anantapur

welcomed the team of social worriers to
Anantapur. The programme was chaired by Mrs.
Topudurthi Kavitha, Z.P. Chairperson, Anantapur.
Other prominent participants in the meeting
besides the vising group included
Ms. Shakuntalamma, District Vice-President,
AITUC, Ms. Ameena, A.P. Mahilasamkhya Convener
and State Vice-President, Mrs. Bhanuja, President,
REDS, Kadiri, Mrs. Sirisha, Advocate, C.K. Palli,
Mr. S.M. Basha, District Human Rights Forum,
Anantapur. Other like-minded social organization
and NGOs participated include APPS Network,
Anantapur, Aman Parirakshna Vedika, Anantapur,
REDS, Kadiri, Andhra Pradesh Mahila Samakhya
(CPI), AITUC (CPI), CPM, Saraswathi Mahila
Mandali, Penukonda, Adarsh Students Welfare
Association, Anantapur,Jhansi Mahila Mandali,
Anantapur, and IDEAS, Kothacheruvu

The aim behind the entire programme was

explained by Ms. Manisha in her introductory
speech. The struggle of women in India and their
status and roles and responsibility in the society in
the household matters and their righteous demand
was explained by her.

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Soon after the formal chairing of all the
dignitaries on the dais, Ms. Kavitha, ZP
Chairperson has felicitated the visiting
Karwan members with Silk Shawl and flower
bouquets as a mark to appreciate their
efforts towards fighting for the rights of
women.

In her welcome address Ms. Shakuntala, said that

Campaign Reservation Express

women are ahead in several fields. However,
their prominence is not accepted by the male
population. The same is reflected in the tactics
played by a few Political parties who are
opposing the passing of Women Reservation Bill
in its present form. She called on the women to
fight to get their Right.

Ms. Kavitha, ZP Chairperson, addressing the

gathering said that Late Mr. Rajiv Gandhi has
proposed 33% of reservation in politics in the
local bodies. She felt that this particular act of
reservation in the local bodies has helped her to 3
become the First Lady of the District today.
 She opined that similar reservation is a righteous demand of the women in the MLA and MP
elections too. Though the bill is prepared and presented for approval in the Parliament, it
could not be presented for approval for several reasons, one of them being the presence of
male dominance parliament. However, with the strong determination of the present
government, the bill is constitutionally approved in the Lok Sabha and is to be presented in the
Rajya Sabha for passing. At this juncture she called on the women population to get literate by
utilizing various government schemes like Mahila Saksharatha Mission etc., which will help
them to know their rights and fight for them. She said that she will be always dreaming that
every woman should be in a position, atleast, to sign her name and to read and write small
words etc.

Later Ms. Priyanka Jaiswal presented an

emotional and heart-touching poem on women
and her duties as a daughter, wife, mother, and
a member of the society. The sufferings she
receives from her own family, from the society
and at the work place etc. Her poetry also
depicted the sacrifice she makes inspite of the
hardships she is facing and the disgrace she is
bearing. This poem of feelings has attracted
the attention of each participant.
Campaign Reservation Express

Other members who spoke on this

occasion include Ms. Ameena, Convenor
of AP Mahilasamakhya, Ms. Bhanuja,
President, REDS, Kadiri, and Ms.
Shirisha, Advocate, Chenne Kothapalli.
The members of the visiting Karwan,
also presented the situation of women
in their respective States. They all
focused their attention on Women
Reservation bill and emphasized the
need to pass it in the present form.
The need for giving due prominence to
women has been pronounced by each
of them. Ms. Chaya, the experienced
senior citizen translated the speech
from Hindi to Telugu.

The members of the Karwan have also presented folk

songs of their respective states during the meeting.
Their presence at the dais has been the centre of
attraction as they were able to successfully express
themselves inspite of the language barrier.

The meeting concluded with the collection of signed

post cards by the participants in support of passing
the Women Reservation Bill in its present form.

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