New Delhi, 5 August: To commemorate the feasts of St. Martha, the worker on July 29, St Ignatius, Founder of the Society of Jesuits on July 31 and St. John Mary Vianney, patron of priests, on August 4, nearly 400 Domestic workers from New Delhi and neighbouring areas gathered at Indian Social Institute on August 5. The occasion was marked by indigenous songs and dances by domestic working girls representing 10 different units in and around Delhi.

Adivasi Jeevan Vikas Sanstha, a unit run by Jesuits in Social Action (JESA) from ISI and Merici Women Welfare Society, Patel Nagar took the initiative coordinate the day’s program.

It was a day of gratitude and thanks giving, marking and celebrating the mutual efforts produced by several domestic workers’ units in collaboration with Jesuits and Missionary sisters of various congregations. Phulkeria, senior Adivasi women, who runs a unit of her own from West Kidwai Nagar profusely, thanked the Jesuits acknowledging their support from early days.

Fr. Edward Mudavassery SJ, Provincial of South Asia (POSA), expressed his happiness on the occasion and encouraged all participants to pursue their goals beyond this temporary phase and towards a better economic growth of the entire community. Other guests present were Fr. John Chathanatt - Director ISI, Fr. Marianus Kujur – Tribal Unit ISI, Fr. T.V. George – Administrator ISI, Fr. Savari Raj – Chetanalaya Director, Fr. Thomas – Jesuit Refugee Services and Fr. Vincent Ekka – Scholar JNU.

Units present were Chhota Nagpur Working Women Society-Delhi Haat, Yuva Seva Samiti-South Extension II, Yuva Kalyan Seva Samiti-Punjabi Bagh, Gharelu Sahayeka Sanstha-Vasant Vihar, Merici Women Welfare Society-Patel Nagar, Adivasi Jeevan Vikas Sanstha-Sidhartha Extension, Girls from Civil Lines (Vidyajyoti Group), Domestic Workers’ Forum-Chetanalaya, Adivasi Tribal Development Society-Lado Sarai, and Merici Home-Patel Nagar.