BANGALORE: There are many in our society who feel strongly about certain issues and are willing to do more than lighting candles or writing about them on online community sites. Subhashini Vasanth founded Vasantharatna Foundation for Art to connect such people with the families of martyrs. She did it in memory of of her late husband, Colonel Vasanth Venugopal, who was martyred on July 31, 2007 in an encounter with militants at the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
On Republic Day 2008 he was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award in the country, and became the first recipient of the award from Karnataka.
Subhashini — a renowned Bharatnatyam dancer, an infantry officer’s wife for over 15 years and a martyr’s widow — believes that a support system is needed for families of armed forces personnel.
Having been an active artiste throughout her life, she also believes that education and empowerment through the arts would be an effective means of reaching out to people across the country and creating this support system.
On February 25, Subhashini will be hosting ‘Salute to Heroes’, a dance celebration with unity and pride, at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall at 6 p.m.
to raise funds for the education of the children of martyrs. Accomplished dancers from Karnataka will be participating in an event where MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar would be the Chief Guest. A brief chat with the lady about her journey so far: What is the main objective of the foundation? The government is doing the best it can to help the affected, but it can’t reach out to them on a more personal level.
There is a larger section of society who want to help families of the people who protect our borders. The foundation is meant to be a bridge between well-meaning people and the families who undergo the trauma of losing a loved one.
What does the foundation mean to you? Vasantharatna Foundation is my cause and my life. After what I experienced, this helped me channelise my personal grief to do something for those in the same situation.
What kind of support did the initiative receive? The response has been overwhelming and we have received immense support from individuals from all walks of life.
But there have been barely any organisations who have come forward. The army has helped greatly in getting us through to families and networking with families in the rural regions.
What change do you think it will bring about? When general awareness about the plight of the families increases, the battle is half won. When you recover from the loss and realise you are single, you first think of your children and how you are going to ensure a good education for them. To address this situation that most single mothers face, we are trying to launch a scholarship for children.
Do you think you would be able to reach out to the majority of army personnel who are from the rural regions? Thanks to the army network, it isn’t an issue to connect with such families.
Even while it is easier in the city, they have to deal with tremendous pressure from society as a single mother and woman. Empowerment is the key, we plan to teach them how they can make a living and make good use of their time through simple activities.
What are your future plans? There will be awareness building exercises every year. Last year, we staged a play, ‘Silent Front’, and this year, it is the dance performance. I am grateful for everybody who has pitched in.
aniruddha@epmltd.com