PANAJI
Amid the dark clouds of the pandemic there are few silver linings here and there, and the Ladfem Latambarsem resident Pratiksha Chanankar is one such ray of hope that has lightened the hearts of many in her locality. After shedding her fears and apprehensions about the safety of her husband Prakash, an employee at the Porvorim Health Centre, Pratiksha herself joined the battalion of Covid warriors and with her consistent and innovative efforts she stitched and distributed masks in her locality, and side by side created job opportunities for women.
“I observed how only surgical masks were commonly available for use during the first wave. So, I organized a unit for making masks under the aegis of our Shree Ram Village Organisation. Luckily, we got an order of 4500 masks, which provided livelihood for many women even during the pandemic,” states Pratiksha, who now works as a block coordinator for National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), Bicholim block.
Pratiksha provided the material and stitching charges to the women to make masks, some of which were sold, and the remaining were distributed to the local health centre, panchayat and the police station.
“The people working at these places had to work compulsorily for the public and their lives were at risk, so we donated the masks to them,” reasons Pratiksha who didn’t stop here. All these months she has been working in the field, serving people affected by Covid with the help of her village organisation that has 10 self help groups under it.
Pratiksha distributed groceries and when she found out that the actual need is bigger, she appealed to her group of women to donate from their savings, who voluntarily did so. The amount was utilised to purchase grocery items to distribute among isolated families. “The Federal Bank and Indian Red Cross Society, Bardez branch helped in this noble cause. The local youth stepped forward to distribute the grocery packets in Kharpal and Kasarpal villages,” shares Pratiksha who also took lead in conducting vaccination awareness in various panchayats in Bicholim block in association with the health department.
“I learnt about the vaccine through an online webinar sent to me by Goa Livelihood Forum and took the vaccine myself first, so that others are motivated to take it too,” smiles Pratiksha who has been working with various organisations to reach out to the needy people. She purchased wheelchairs, medicine kits, walkers, walking sticks and first aid kits spending her own money and made the equipment available to the needy people by placing it in the local sports club. The needy would register to avail these services at a nominal price, use it and return after their need was over, so that others can get it.
Being a frontline worker, she is not afraid, thinking whatever has to happen will happen. So far, she or her family members are not affected with Covid. The women in her group faced financial problems which she tried to solve by offering livelihood opportunities to them through poultry, farming, cattle rearing etc. vermicompost is started on a big scale in their panchayat, a masala grinding mill is in the pipeline. Terrace gardening, chilli plantation, nursery in the forests, grafting, etc is also undertaken to make a living in areas like Menkurem, Vana, Pilgao, Maulingem and Mayem.
“The local MLA bought saplings for these women entrepreneurs. I am thankful to the Goa Livelihood Forum for their mentoring. So far, I have not faced any hurdles in whatever community work I am doing. I will continue serving people at the best of my capabilities, so that their lives and livelihoods are safeguarded,” concludes this woman of substance, who is selflessly serving the community in her own humble way.
