The event began with rendering of a song from the album, Kishori Geet produced by Vacha and a power point presentation by girls sharing about routine violation of their rights. They raised questions on how they are to enjoy freedoms under existing socio-economic structures. These girls were from various basties where the organisation works is active. They raised these issues because the book, Rights of Adolescent Girls in India: A Critical Look at Laws and Policies by Saumya Uma was being released in the inaugural session. It was after they raised their voice that Dr. Ranjana Kumari, Director of Centre for Social Research and Chairperson of WomenPowerConnect gave the keynote address and gave context to such queries. Actor and film maker, Nandita Das was in Chair and she discussed strategies for dealing with girls’ issues in different ways based on her personal experience in a packed hall of 129 delegates from NGOs, Researchers, creative artistes, teachers and students from colleges and schools and journalists.

1. Advocate Saumya Uma, Dr. Ranjanakumari, Actor Nandita Das, Prof. Vibhuti Patel
at Book Launch on ‘Girls’ Rights’ at Vacha, Mumbai, 23-11-2012