Puthupunal (fresh water), the women’s wing of Our Lady the Healer Church in Karumandapam, Tiruchirappalli, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, has been actively involved in promoting gender equality and building the Kingdom of God.
Established in 2019, the group celebrated its seventh anniversary alongside International Women’s Day on March 8.
This year, the celebration occurred on March 9, 2025, at the Provincial House of the Francis Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, with Sr. Robancy A. Helen as the chief guest.
She emphasized the importance of education in empowering women, breaking superstitious beliefs, and overcoming the inferiority complex imposed by society.
She urged women to rise above societal constraints, advocate for the voiceless, and resist domestic violence.
During her address, Sister Helen highlighted the contributions of E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar) and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in fighting for women's rights both socially and legally.
She encouraged Tamil women to take pride in their identity, recognizing Tamil Nadu’s historical role in empowering women.
She also refuted the false notion that "women are the enemy of women," stressing the need for unity and collective action.
Fr. Arulanandham, the parish priest, and Sr. Fatima, the coordinator of Puthupunal, delivered the felicitation address, focusing on the commercial exploitation of women and the urgency to combat it.
The event concluded with the women pledging to work toward gender equality in parish activities.
Puthupunal, comprising 50 women, meets monthly to discuss women’s issues, leadership, spirituality, and self-growth.
They celebrate the achievements of powerful women in history, counsel destitute women, and engage in social outreach.
One of their notable efforts includes assisting Ratha, a visually impaired woman, in building her home.
The program was successfully coordinated by Jessy Rani, the president, along with the office bearers of Puthupunal.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
