In the last three-and-a-half years, women have efficiently addressed numerous problems in various sectors like water, health, employment and others. Now, we are all set to initiate a leadership development programme designed for them. Elections will be held under the Tanishka Forum. This initiative will boost the strength of women. This is a unique platform to enhance the capabilities of women.
– Abhijit Pawar, Founder & Chairman, Delivering Change Foundation and Managing Director, Sakal Media Group

Need for Leadership Development:

Under the ‘Tanishka Leadership Development Programme 2016’, we are planning to hold elections in the months of October and November. The contestant who receives maximum votes and numbers will get a chance to represent at the Taluka level. The contestants who will receive the votes of second and third number will also get a chance to become member of various committees. This election procedure is completely different than the procedure in which elections are held today. These elections will be devoid of strategic moves, rivalries among the contestants, claims-counter claims made against each other. More importantly, we expect that these elections and the action plan which will be laid out soon will strongly reflect the viewpoint of women. One notices that even after implementation 50 per cent reservations to women in local self-governments, we rarely see that their expectations and opinions are adequately reflected in the overall decision making processes.

The voters who will get a chance to elect representatives will be Tanishka members only or the members associated with Self-help Groups, Rotary, Lions’ Club. The working women as well as home makers will participate in elections which will be held in three stages. If a woman is empowered, her family will change, and once her family changes the society will be empowered.

This novel initiative will definitely give a boost toward the development of democratic principals in the society. Under this programme, regular training workshops will be held for elected representatives. In each district, Advisory committees having all women experts will be formed. These committees will provide guidance to women on several social issues. A shadow cabinet or Ministry will be formed through elected representatives. The members of this cabinet will get a chance to understand the working of various department. These members will work as liaison between government officials and common women. The action plan will be made to resolve set tasks with the help of public participation or by raising these issues to the government. Through this initiative various pressure groups will be created at various levels right from Grampanchayat to Mantralaya. Tanishka members regardless of their profession, will be surely benefited through the nature of working of this programme.