Sahayini Social Development Society organised a Women’s Festival from 8th-10th April, 2017 at Auxilium School Campus, Wadala. Around 500 women from the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka participated in it. The women came from the rural and tribal areas where Sahayini carries out developmental works with women.
The women were divided into groups with colourful bands. At 10.00 am, the children welcomed and escorted the Chief Guest Mrs. Suman Tulsiani from Tulsiani Trust, Guest of
Honour Prof. RSS Mani, our very own Provincial Sr. Rita Dora Thomas to the tune of the lezim dance. The inaugural function began with welcome words and a prayer moment by Anmol group. We also spent a moment of silence praying for the soul of Sr. Christina Galus, as Sr. Hilda and Sr. Christina’s mother garlanded her frame. At midday the women had a creative session on the theme “Women for peace” in their respective groups animated by Sr. Moksha and Mrs. Levinisia. This served as a preparation for the evening’s Peace Rally. After a sumptuous lunch the women moved to the hall to view the movie ‘PARCHED’. They had to joy of felicitating the director Mrs. Leena Yadav, who briefed the viewers on the plot of the movie. The discussion that followed after the movie saw the women spontaneously expressing their feelings ‘straight from the heart’
were kept ready as we set out for the Peace Rally. A big banner with the theme was carried by the Sisters right in front followed by the women and volunteers. Every placard and the peace walk on the roads of Wadala sent vibrations of peace in the air. After a short cultural programme we had a felicitation ceremony. Sr. Aruna Castellino and Sr. Phyliis Fernandes from among the FMA’S were chosen as pillars of the foundation of ‘empowerment of women’. Women leaders from each centre was felicitated and so were the centre co-ordiantors( FMA’s).
The second day began with the Eucharistic Celebration on the occasion of Palm Sunday for the 
Catholic women. Mr. Cyril D’Souza along with his blind son animated a prayer moment honouring our Blesssed Mother. This was followed by Cultural programme comprising of dance, song, skit etc by each centre. The women also put up various stalls with their own handiworks which were both for display and for sale. The afternoon kept all of them on their feet as they played various telegames. In the evening all were entertained by the orchestra by ‘Shruti Sandhaan’ –a group of musicians and singers under the leadership of Prof. RSS Mani and Dr. Kumarswamy from Chembur.
The third day brought with it extra excitement as the women set out for a Mumbai Darshan.Seven bus full of women left for the Gateway of India, Hanging gardens, Mount Mary and Bandstand. Lunch was served at Hanging Gardens. It was indeed a wonderful experience for each of them. They then began to leave for their respective homes with joy and gratitude in their hearts. Each of them received a parting gift, a bag with useful item in it.