INCEPTION

VASAVYA MAHILA MANDALI (VMM) established in 1969, is an organization propelled bywomen, with a unique legacy inherited by ‘Gorain Family’and inspired by Gandhian ideology of truth, nonviolence and humanism.It took VMM six years to strengthen and register in 1975, on the eve of the International Women’s year. VMM has carved a special ‘niche’ in the field of social development and service to humanity. This is ‘not for profit’, secular andvoluntary organization for promoting gender equity, egalitarian structures and barrier-free society.

NEED FOR A PLATFORM FOR WOMEN

Women in India in the earlier decades of the previous millennium were confined to houses with secondary status in the family. Girls were not sent to schools, female in general were not allowed to participate in social gatherings and women in politics was a rarity. In early 60s, Mrs. Chennupati Vidya, was nominated as a co-opted member in GollapudiPanchayath (local self-government). The lack of female participation and the need for women involvement in decision making bodies made her to think of initiating a platform for women based at Vijayawada, a town at that time, on the banks of River Krishna. To get nine educated and empowered women to form into a registered society in 1960s was a very difficult task and to convince their spouses to allow their wives to be part of the movement for women was a herculean mission.

VASAVYA MAHILA MANDALI FOUNDER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The nine empowered women who laid the foundation for VMM in 1969 are

Mrs. Chennupati Vidya
a Gandhian Social Worker

Dr.Yarlagadda Seetharatnam
a Gynaecologist

Mrs. N. Lakshmi Chari
Social Worker

Mrs. J. Mythri
Psychologist, Academician

Mrs. Kommareddy Mani
an Active Volunteer
of Satyasaisevasamithi,

Mrs. Hemalatha Lavanam
Academician and Writer

Mrs. Leela Ramamurthy
Social Worker

Mrs. Praphulla Patel
Gujarathi Bhagini Samaj

Mrs.Borra Narayanamma
Garment Making Consultant

NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION

Gora, a social reformer and an atheist named the organization as VASAVYA MAHILA MANDALI. Vasavya (Sanskrit)is an Acronym:

  • VA-Vasthavikata (Reality)
  • SA-Sanghadrusti (Social Outlook)
  • VYA-Vyaktitvam (Development of Individual personality)
  • MAHILA: means Woman
  • MANDALI: means Association

PATRONS OF VMM

Gora and Saraswathi Gora, social reformers and atheists had provided ideological support toVMM. Mr. Chennupati Seshagirirao, a businessman by vocation and philanthropist and champion reformerfor the development of women and youth by nature and spirit, was a backbone of VMM throughout his life, until his last breath in 2008 and the eternal fortitude through the legacy he left behind with members of his family.

The biographical skeches of Patrons of VMM

FOCUS OF VMM

Accredidated to
International HIV/AIDS Alliance,UK
International Rehabilitation center for Torture Victims,Denmark
Assessment and Empanelment Standards for Development Institutions in India(TISS AESDII)

LEGAL STATUS
  • Registered under Indian society’s Registration act in 1975.
  • Registered with Ministry of Home affairs, Government of India under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act in 1985
  • Registered with Indian Income Tax department for exemption under 12A, 80G and TAN.