On November 5, 2011 Bank of Maharashtra ‘Mahabank Women Empowerment Programme -SWASHAKTI’ in collaboration with the National Commission for Women, Government of India, New Delhi organized a Workshop/Training to sensitize women employees on ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment’,at Jog Hall, Lokmangal, Shivajinagar, Pune i.e. Head Office of Bank of Maharashtra.

On the arrival of Dr. Ms. Charu WaliKhanna, Member of National Commission for Women and the Chief Guest for the programme, at the Head Office of the Bank, Mr. Banerjee Chief General Manager Planning & Development, Mr. Chappekar General Manager Human Resources Development and Inspection, Mr. R.H.Kilkarni General Managar Information Technology and Mr. Harnagle General Manager and Chief Vigilance Officer – welcomed her. They had discussions on various topics including ‘sexual harassment’ at workplace.

About 150 ladies from Bank of Maharashtra and 23 women from 12 Nationalised and Private Banks in Pune have attended the programme which was also telecast through ‘video conferencing’ and viewed by over 400 employees located in and around the 34 Regional offices of Bank of Maharashtra all over India, including Pune East, Pune West and Pune City Regions, Lucknow, Mumbai, Jaipur etc.

The Chief Guest Dr. Ms. Charu WaliKhanna, shared the dias with Ms. Asha Ahuja, Deputy General Manager, Credit Priority, Bank of Maharashtra & Chairperson of Swashakti and Ms. Mugdha Satarkar, Assistant General Manager, Vigilance, Bank of Maharashtra & Member Secretary of SWASHAKTI. Guest Speakers/Panel members included Ms. Bhagyashree Bhide, Lawyer, ex-Assistant General Manager, Legal, Recovery and Chief Law Officer, Bank of Maharashtra and ex-Chairperson of SWASHAKTI, Ms. Vaishali Bhagwat, eminent Lawyer in Pune and Ms. Swati Dehadrai, Women Studies Centra, University of Pune were

The programme was compared by Ms. Shreelata Sheshadri in English and Ms. Vaishali Rashtrapal in Hindi. After the welcome address, Ms. Rujuta Sarode, Lokprbha Waghe and Ujwala Dhaygude sang the ‘welcome song’ having wording ‘Etani Shakti Hame Dena Data, Manka Vishwas Kamjor Ho Na’ . Thereafter the ‘lamp’ was lit at the hands of all guests on the dais, which was followed by floral welcome to the guests by the Chairperson of SWASHAKTI.

Ms. Satarlar delivered introductory speech on the formation of SWASHKTI group in Bank of Maharashtra and various activities carried out by the group in Central Office as well as at various Regional offices of the Bank for the benefit of the members and awareness on Sexual Harassment.

Ms. Ahuja introduced the Chief Guest Dr. Charu WaliKhanna. Dr. Charu WaliKhanna made a Power Point presentation in Hindi, covering all aspects of the ‘movement’ right from its inception till the ‘bill’ on protection of women against sexual harassment at workplace Bill ‘2010’ placed before the Parliament.

Thereafter, Ms. Vaishali Bhagwat, introduced by Ms. Tanuja Urankar, spoke on various cases related to the subject.

Open House discussion and Panel Discussions were chaired by the Chief Guest Dr. Charu WaliKhanna. Other guest speakers participated in the discussions.

Many participants from other banks as well from Bank of Maharashtra present at Jog Hall and from various Regional Offices through video conferencing, shared their experiences on the subject, which were well appreciated by one and all. The Chief Guest Dr. Charu WaliKhanna motivated participants to talk freely on the subject to which they had responded favorably. The discussions were lively, thought provoking and giving courage to other lady employees for facing any unpleasant behavior of male colleagues.

A booklet on ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment’ at workplaces, published by Bank of Maharashtra in collaboration with National Commission for Women, with the message of Mr. A.S.Bhattacharya, Chairman & Managing Director of Bank of Maharashtra and Dr. Charu WaliKhanna, Member of National Commission for Women was released at the hands of the Chief Guest.

Thereafter, DRAMA titled ‘ Youn Peedan-Ek Gambhir Samasya’ on “sexual harassment – one serious problem’ written, directed and performed by employees of Bank of Maharashtra was enacted, which was enjoyed by all the participants.

The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Ms. Sulabha Kulkarni and ‘PASAYDAN’ by Ms. Rajuta Saroda.

Mr. A.S.Bhattacharya, Chairman & Managing Director, Bank of Maharashtra thanks wholeheartedly the National Commission for Women for this opportunity to educate women employees on ‘Sexual Harassment at Workplace”.

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