ASSAGAO: Goa, known for its peaceful coexistence of diverse communities, has a shining example of communal harmony in the village of Siolim – a unique self-help group named ‘Milan’, run by enterprising women from three distinct religions—Catholic, Muslim, and Hindu. This group, with its practical demonstration of unity, delivers a profound message especially relevant during the Christmas season.
The formation of Milan was not without its challenges, as shared by the group’s treasurer, Jeane D’Souza. “While we are now gaining recognition for our work, the journey to form the group was not easy. I had to meet the ladies, bring them together, convince and educate them. It was only after they were convinced that ‘Milan’ truly took shape,” she reveals. The driving force behind this unique initiative was Sister Shirley Fernandes of the Sisters of the Queen of Apostles. She played a pivotal role in bringing together women from different religions, mostly from Igrezwaddo , Bamonwaddo and Aframent Vaddy in Siolim.
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Sister Shirley emphasises, “It is absolutely wrong and inhuman to segregate people based on religion. We are all humans, and whichever religion you may belong to, you are a child of God. All children of God are brothers and sisters, and we need to come together for any good deed in society.”
Milan engages in various activities such as making paper bags, stitching, cooking, baking, tailoring, and more. The 12-member strong group plans to make a mark in Goa by showcasing their hard work and setting an example of unity. According to the group’s secretary, Nilofar Sheikh, there is complete comfort and camaraderie among members. “Our 12-member group is like one family. We meet, discuss work-related matters, maintain proper records, and ensure full transparency in our accounts. It gives me great pride to be part of such a group,” she says.
The president of Milan, Maria Anna D’Souza, acknowledges the efforts of Sister Shirley in forming the group and expresses the collective commitment to take Milan to greater heights. “We are all enterprising and very enthusiastic. Whatever costing is involved in setting up stalls anywhere, each member bears a share, and we save the profit. This saving is
withdrawn after three years and distributed among all members,” she explains.
“In the past, wherever I formed such groups, the members’ ladies were immensely happy as they saved some pocket money and saved a decent amount after three years,” adds Sister Shirley.
The disciplined and cooperative nature of Milan, coupled with their commitment to empowering women, positions them as a potential role model for others in Goa.
By registering with Caritas, Milan gained recognition, allowing them to set up stalls at major events and State-level functions. While they initially focused on Siolim and nearby areas, Milan now plans to expand and set up stalls wherever they are invited by Caritas. Anna Maria D’Souza concludes, “The modern-day lady is capable, confident, and strong. She has the ability to transform society and bring in good things, and ‘Milan’ will surely live up to the expectations of many.”
