(HP), Jan 27 : A rehabilitation home for neglected women has been set up by the Department of Welfare and Social Justice of Himachal Pradesh State Government.

Thanks to home named Nari Seva Sadan (Help centre for women) at Mashobra, 22 kilometres away from Shimla, the way is paved for such neglected women to return to the mainstream of society.

Apart from the deprived women of Himachal Pradesh, the beneficiaries of this home are also those belonging to other places but found in dire need of assistance by the State Police or other concerned authorities from the Department of Social Welfare.

Presently, among the 18 inmates, six belong to Himachal Pradesh while the rest dozen women hail from other States, all victims of various social odds encountered in life.

Set up at a cost of rupees 50 lakhs, the home rehabilitates the women with utmost care and guides them to take up a productive vocation.

"The State as a policy has decided to run one such institution for whole State. The important aspect of this home is not only of care and shelter or protection but of sharing and of caring," said Subhashish Panda, Director, Department of Welfare and Social Justice, Government of Himachal Pradesh.

Through vocational training of one''s aptitude and option, Nari Seva Sadan has helped several women to become self reliant and thus usher a new chapter in their lives.

Among the vocations taught here are weaving, sewing, stitching and making handicraft novelties.

"I teach them crafts like stitching, weaving and sewing so that they can rehabilitate themselves and also earn their livelihood. I teach these girls what they are interested in so that they can learn the work and become perfect in it," said Kamla Bhoal, a craft teacher, Nari Seva Sadan, Mashobra.

The women inmates of Nari Seva Sadan including mothers with minor children live here like family.

The mentors of the home treat these girls like their daughters not only teaching them these skills but also teaching them the way of life.

" I have learnt here that a woman should not remain behind in the society. When you are educated and your parents have done so much for you, and left no shortcomings then why should your in-laws not co-operate with you? I have learnt to be self-dependent more than what I was, and I feel that I can do something for myself in future," said Sakshi Arora, an inmate of Nari Sadan, Mashobra.

Nari Seva Sadan also shelters mentally and physically challenged women. And almost all such inmates have now started enjoying their life.

The support provided by the Himachal Pradesh Government has been a boon to these women who earlier were deprived of social identity and dignity but now capable of leading an objective life of contentment. (ANI)