Leone: Hello friends. On the occasion of International Women's day, we are meeting and interviewing union heads. Today we are going to meet State Treasurer of PTS Ms. Santhanamari. Hello Mam. Santhanamari: Hello. L: You are State Treasurer of PTS. How did you come to this position? Were you a member and then became the State Treasurer? Or through the work experience in different social work organizations did you reach this position? S: I had a small shop. At that time they conducted a meeting from PTS. At that time they told me, you should be the State Treasurer, i joined as member, then i became State Treasurer. L: From how many years are you in this union? S: I am here from past 16 years. I Joined in 2003. L: What type of changes are there in your life as a woman who had a small shop and now as a State Treasurer? S: During those time i had a desire to do social work. I am not saying because of salary, i worked for 3 years without salary. I had an interest to work among women. I joined women to the union, started new branches. I started 5-6 branches. So mam told me, you have started branches, so you be the Incharge. I said ok for that. L: Happy to know about your works. What am i asking is, before joining this union and working among women, were aware of the laws and rights of women? S: NO. I had no idea. After joining union i joined in many meetings. In those meetings they spoke about many things and i came to learn many things, So i thought of giving awareness to the women about the things they dont know. So i started conducting meeting and started sharing the problems. L: Life is a school and daily we should learn things. After joining union you came to know about the laws and right related to women. Please share any main problem which you faced after joining union as an Incharge. S: IN our area, there were a lot of trashes dumped. They used to burn the trashes so people use to fall sick and many got cancer. Later we undertook a survey. We gave petition and proper actions were not taken. Then we called all our incharges and conducted a hunger strike. After the protest the trashes were cleared. L: Thats great. Even if you are a member in a union often you have to come for meetings. Now you are a treasurer and you have to spend most of your time here. This should have taken more tie from you. Was that a problem in your house? Is your husband and others are supportive? S: Initially they were not! Because i was studied till 8th std only. I was not aware of many things. So in my house they told, you dont know about Chennai. Be careful and there will be many problems. I wanted to do social work. Later they understood me. Many people started calling me so they told me to dothis service. L: Thats great. Because men or women, we can achieve things only if our family is supportive. In that way you need to thank your husband. On this International WOmen's day as a State treasurer and Incharge what is your message? S: I desire is every women should come out of the house. Make your kids study, come out and teach things to others too. Happy WOmen's day to all. L: THank you,
Transcript Unavailable.
Song On labors unity
Leoni: Hello friends. I think it will apt to interview Sumathi who is a hardworking member of PTS. Hello Madam Sumathi: Hello. My native is Chrompet. L: What kind of work were your parents doing? what have you studied? and what are your interests? Are you interested in doing creative works? S: I have completed my 12th. I wanted to do teacher job and Nursing job. I was stopped saying not to go to teacher job and not to become Nurse because daily you have to wear white saree. I was not sent for further studies after 12th. Earlier i used to be very lean and my mom said you cannot go and shout in front of everyone. So my mom told me not to go for this. L: Because you were lean, your mom thought my daughter cannot shout in front of students. but now you are a leader in a union and doing the work of 10 teachers. Very happy. Tell us more about your husband and children. S: When i was married we were at my in-laws house. I never used to go out for anything. Even buying vegetables was done by others at home. Even if we ride cycle, people used to say, what kind of girl is she? SHe is riding a bicycle. Even if we put on a handbag, people used to comment. So i was asked to go without carrying a handbag or carry normal bag. From that level, i joined PTS as a member and now grown up as secretary. That itself is a proud thing for me. Many people from that village are coming to meet me, they are asking me to write a petition, people are asking my suggestions, many people are asking how to get marriage benefit etc. I am treated as a leader in village. It makes me happy. I didnt knew all these. I am proud that i have grown up in PTS and i am working among women. L: Your in-laws who restricted you from wearing handbag, did they oppose you when you joined PTS? S: My father in- law appreciated me when i joined PTS. He is the one who allowed me to join PTS. L: the person who opposed holding handbag, why did he allow you to join PTS? S: During those time the vice president was Devi. She explained that we are working for and working among the welfare of women. When I joined PTS, i constructed a house and conducted a house warming ceremony. And PTS presented me a gift. AT that time my father in law came to me and told me that they came till here and gave this gift to you. So never forget PTS and always be a part of PTS. L: I am really happy to hear this. A great change of thought for him. Now we heard about Sumathi, who is one of the heads of PTS. How she changed her life and made it as news and shared it with us. Thank you Sumathi.
1) Marxist communist party is planning for a protest in Chennai on March 9th condemning CAA, NRC, and NPR. 2) Central Govt has approved for merge of 10 Public Sector banks. 3) Condemning Karur Govt hospital and Medical college Dean Koshi Vennila, All Federations are protesting on March 12th. 4) All Farmers association is protesting to revoke cases on farmers who were involved in protest against Hydro carbon plan.
I am Vijayalakshmi from eri scheme. I heard Dhanalakshmi mam's interview in UK. I am really happy. Thank you for fighting for women's rights. Even we are following your footsteps and telling everyone about women rights. Even if we go to any other village or any other area, we keep talking about things done by our mam. And telling them to be like that. 8th March is women's day so i request you to sing a song which you sing for women right.
Vijayalakshmi interviewing Lakshmi Amma. Her message on women's day is celebrating women's day is good thing but in the same way safety should be given to women. Also says in joint family we need to adjust with everyone.
I am Vimala from Mogappair. In coffee with Leone, Sujatha mam was talking. How much did she struggle, what all did she do, things she has done for women rights and women safety. We will do our part for the growth of union's growth. Many more branches of PTS should be formed. We will show our support to mam. Many people tld me that mam is talking in UK radio, i told them mam is the head of PTS and do listen to UK radio. They said its really nice to hear. People were happy to hear mam's interview.
1) New industry has been formed to prepare a report for establishing Defense Department Logistics Manufacturing Industry. It is also said that Defense Department Logistics Manufacturing Industry will be formed in Tamil nadu and uttar pradesh. Based on temporarily places has been identified in Chennai, Salem, Coimbatore, Trichy for the same. 2) Chennai High court passes the verdict that Central Govt employee who gave birth for twins in the first delivery, will not be able apply for Maternity leave salary for her second delivery. 3) Chennai High court question Tamil nadu Govt for not spending Rs.1627 crores Nirbhaya fund in a proper way. 4) 46 illegally functioning drinking water manufacturing units were sealed in Nellai, Thenkasi and Tuticorin.
I am Vijayalakshmi from eri scheme. I heard coffee with Leone. Sujatha mam spoke in that program. She has struggled alot and joined more than 20000 members. We are going to filed to join members to union so we can understand the pain in convincing and joining members to union. Mam has fought the rights of women and made many people to get pension. We should listen to her and join many more members to union and work for the growth of union.