Kutchina Foundation Celebrates Annual Day

Kutchina Foundation celebrated its annual day to commemorate the outstanding contributions and efforts by the existing Krritikas in bringing about a social impact and change in the society and to introduce the new Krritikas who have been identified to be offered fellowship for their respective projects under Kutchina Krritika - an initiative to identify woman change-makers and support them. The women identified under this initiative are called ‘Krritikas’ as it stands for a group of stars (female Nakshatras) also known as the "Stars of Fire” and is related to a commander, foster mother, luster, glow of power, physical and creative force.

R to L: Usha Uthup, Seema Biswas, Craig Hall & Namit Bajoria

The occasion was graced by the presence of Seema Biswas, National Award winning actor of Bandit Queen fame, Mr. Craig L Hall, U.S Consul General in Kolkata and acclaimed Singer Usha Uthup.

So far, Kutchina has supported 7 such women working for various social changes like education of the children of red light areas, women trafficking, self defense among women etc. This year, Kutchina offered its helping hand to 4 women from various states to offer fellowship and support. The new Krritika are from Kolkata, Nagaland and Assam. The courageous women whom Kutchina Foundation has identified for the fellowship this year are:

Bhaotina Mushahary from Kokrajhar, Assam works for marginalized disabled women facing some or the other forms of gender based violence.

Saswati Arora works towards creating an enabling environment for the less priviledged children of our society through a range of sustainable and reliable services.

Faiham Longmailai works towards the well being of school and college drop outs through education, employability and entrepreneurship.

Priyanka herself a trans woman who hails from Malda, works through self help groups of transgender on handicrafts to help them become economically self sufficient.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Namit Bajoria, Director, Kutchina and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Macedonia said, “Of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by United Nations, goal 5 is to achieve gender equality. While the world has achieved progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment under the Millennium Development Goals , including equal access to primary education between girls and boys, women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the world. Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.”

“Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large”, Mr. Bajoria added.

The evening culminated with a play “Beyond Borders” by Creative Arts- an all women production spearheaded by Ramanjit Kaur.

About Kutchina Foundation

Kutchina Foundation is a Kolkata based non-profit organization engaged in charitable and social welfare activities. It was founded by Mr. Namit Bajoria and it began its journey out of its concern for the need to care for the marginalized and identify woman change-makers and support them. And the philosophy is aptly reflected through their tagline ‘Her Dream, Our Mission’.

Kutchina Foundation aspires to extend all round care and support to the disadvantaged girl child and women, thereby creating a pool of empowered and talented women activists and workers who would be the force multipliers in our society. For Kutchina Foundation, CSR is an inner calling carried forward with utmost passion, professionalism and care.