# Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM) - Full Documentation

> A just, equitable, and inclusive society where women, youth, and children realize their rights, lead healthy and empowered lives, participate in decision-making, and contribute to sustainable social transformation.

## 1. Origin and History

In the 1960s, **Chennupati Vidya**, recognizing women's restricted role in society, determined to create a platform for women in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India. With the support of her husband, Chennupati Seshagiri Rao, she and other pioneering women like Mythri and Hemalatha Lavanam initiated this informal organization in 1969.

The name **"VASAVYA"** was coined by Gandhian freedom fighter Gora, an acronym for:
- **VA** (Vastavikata) - Telling Truth
- **SA** (Sanghadrusti) - Equality with Empathy
- **VYA** (Vyaktitvam) - Being Brave

Registration as a formal Non-Profit, Secular, Women-led Organization was done on **8th December 1975** in the International Year of Women.

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## 0. Total Impact (at a Glance)
- **Years of Service:** 56+ Years (Since 1969)
- **Total Lives Reached:** 4,446,254+
- **Women & Girls Reached:** 2,245,584+
- **Men & Boys Reached:** 2,200,670+

## 1. Origin and History

### 🩺 Health and Nutrition
VMM believes accessible healthcare is a fundamental right.
- **Mental Health:** 
  - **MPOWER:** Mental health education for youth (Aditya Birla Education Trust).
  - **Santwana:** Community-based detection and treatment in NTR & Visakhapatnam (Live Love Laugh Foundation).
- **Maternal Health:**
  - **Kushal Clinics:** Serving 30 villages in AP and Karnataka (Wipro Cares).
  - **Project Kushal:** Reaching 72 Urban Health Centres in Visakhapatnam.
- **HIV/AIDS & Sexual Health:**
  - **Care Support Center 2.0:** Supporting 800 PLHIV for ART adherence in Sri Satya Sai district.
  - **Targeted Intervention (TI):** Reaching migrant workers in 60 hotspots.
  - **Apollo Tyres Healthcare Centre:** Services for truckers in Autonagar, Vijayawada.
- **Swetcha Gora Eye Bank:** Established in 1996; the only community-based eye bank led by a women's organization. 894+ sight restorations.

### 💼 Skilling, Livelihoods & Entrepreneurship
- **Solar Energy Training:** Training 300 women in PV system installation (Australian Consulate).
- **AMMA Project:** Tailoring & Fashion Design Centres; Cluster development for Kalamkari and Kondapalli toy artisans (HCL Foundation).
- **Usha Silai Schools:** Training women in 16 districts (Usha International).
- **Maa Thota:** Integrated Tribal Development for 800 families (NABARD).

### 🎓 Education and Knowledge Building
- **URSTC:** Urban Residential Special Training Centre for 100 vulnerable girls (6–18 years).
- **Empower Girl Child:** Skills and education in tribal/rural districts (Azim Premji Foundation).
- **Mentoring:** "I BELIEVE — I CAN" coordination for student career readiness.
- **Vasavya Nrutya Vihar:** Dance school promoting Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam for social change.

### ⚖️ Gender Justice
- **Access to Justice:** Fighting child trafficking and marriages across 106 villages (KSCF).
- **Mahila Mitra:** 10,000+ women safety nets in 21 police stations (HCL Foundation).
- **Shelters:** 
  - **Sakti Sadan:** Rescue home for victims of trafficking.
  - **BANDHAM:** Residential care for 40 abandoned senior women (SBI Foundation).
  - **Working Women’s Hostel:** 150-capacity secure living space.
- **Gender Resource Centres:** Partnering with GoAP to establish centres across 660 mandals.

### 🌿 Climate Resilience
- **Solar Power:** 46 KWP total capacity across campuses.
- **Solar Irrigation:** 250+ acres for tribal families.
- **Awareness:** Campaigns on global warming and plastic reduction.

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## 3. Leadership & Governance
VMM is governed by a 9-member Executive Committee and 40-member General Body.
- **Dr. Keerthi Bollineni** – President (Recipient of Anjani Mashelkar Inspiration Award)
- **Dr. Deeksha Pillarisetty** – Vice President & Medical Director
- **Ms. Rashmi Goparaju** – Secretary
- **Ms. Sujatha Bayana** – Treasurer

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## 4. Timeline Milestones
- **1969:** Creation of a platform for women; Social Mixy Pot (breaking caste).
- **1975:** Formal registration.
- **1982:** Donation of land at Benz Circle.
- **1985:** Opening of Working Women's Hostel and FCRA registration.
- **1992:** Rural Sanitation (4,000 toilets); Safe drinking water (57 bore wells).
- **1996:** Establishment of Swetcha Gora Eye Bank.
- **2001:** Lead partner for HIV/AIDS care in AP.
- **2017:** Launch of Mahila Mitra movement.
- **2023:** Launch of BANDHAM Senior Citizen Home.
- **2025:** Solar PV technology training for women.

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## 5. Legal Status
- Registered under Indian Society's Registration Act (1975)
- FCRA Registered (1985)
- 12A, 80G and TAN exempt.
- Registered with NGO DARPAN (NITI Aayog).