Dear Friends, The sensational news of Sabitha Monis’ excellent performance in the 2nd PUC examinations has not only hit the headline of Daijidubai.com but has also “hit” our human hearts – to make us realize that inspite of such a major handicap of being born without her hands, she has withstood her courage and excelled so brilliantly in her academic career throughout her life.

To achieve distinction of 81% in her examinations by writing her papers with her legs is absolutely exemplary and astonishing. Sabitha hails from a family where they literally have a hand to mouth existence and yet inspite of it all she has shocked one and all with her brilliant performance. Inspite of all these obstacles IF Sabitha can emerge a Winner – why cannot YOU and I??? Sabitha’s feat is a glaring example before our eyes to know that we should thank God for his Blessings.

We humans are quick to criticize but today Sabitha’s example is a stark reminder - to let us know “instead of cursing the darkness – we should light a candle to dispel the darkness in our lives” We always lament and mourn for what we DON’T HAVE but do we ever thank God for His mercy for being born normally. Life today is a rat race competition. Only education can enrich and better our lives. We look out for easy gains – not willing to put in hard work and dedicated labour.

Our youth of today, seem to be lost in the materialistic world of the cyberworld and worldly pleasures – but it is the few hardworking and honest ones who shine and emerge as winners. Commitment and a conscious approach to live our life in the right manner should be our aim and goal. We should appreciate the parents of Sabitha Moniz - Mr. Basil and Mrs. Benedicta Moniz – who inspite of being uneducated and in such dire poverty have not deprived their four children of education. Education is the key to success. The mor e you study the greater are your opportunities to reach the top.

And today we bring to you in Women Vision – a great educationist and a Woman Acitivist – the petite and stately personality – Dr. (Ms) Mary Agnes Saldanha. Dr. (Ms) Mary Agnes Saldanha isthe daughter of the late Mr. Joseph L.Saldanha, Poet and Editor of “The Christian Purana” and the late Mrs. Louise Saldanha (nee Coelho) gold medalist in English at the Matriculation Examination, Madras Presidency. She did her early schooling at the St. Agnes College Mangalore and later did her post graduation in MA in English Language and Literature at the Presidency College Madras in 1930. She did her M.S. Ed and Ph.D from the Syracuse University in New York and the title of her desertation was “ The widening of Higher Educational opportunity in India – in the light of American Theory and Practice.

Dr. Mary Agnes Saldanha has been in the educational field for over 45 years of her life and education of women has been her main thrust. She has been closely connected with some of the leading women’s colleges in the country and has the proud distinction of being the First Principal of Bhopal School of Social Sciences and Management, Bhopal Diocese, Madhya Pradesh from 1972 - 75. She was also the first Principal of Women’s College Gondia Maharashtra from 1971 – 72. Apart from these distinctions to her credit she has been on the teaching faculty of English at St. Charles Seminary, Nagpur, Maharashtra, Professor of English and Principal (17 years), L.A.D. College for Women , Nagpur, Maharashtra,m Teacher at the High School Classes, Sacred Heart Convent, Hubli, formerly Bombay Presidency and initially began her teaching career in her own Alma Mater – the St. Agnes College at Mangalore (1930-31).

Dr. Mary Agnes Saldanha is a Fulbright Scholar to the U.S.(1952 – 1957) and was a member of Honour Society - Pi Lambda Theta, Syracuse, U.S. – for academic merit. Not only on the academic front, bur Dr. Mary Agnes Saldanha has also been an active membe