CPWD Officers’ Wives Association

The foundation of CPWD officers’ wives association was laid in the year 1971 by Late Mrs Rachel C. Muthachen, w/o the then Engineer in Chief Shri. Muthachen. She started the association from her residence. The ladies got together, collected cut pieces from the colonies, stitched clothes and sold them to raise funds for charitable work. A sewing machine was donated to a driver’s window. Mrs Gayatri Vaish took the torch further by starting up a dispensary in a garage which was run by an officer’s doctor wife. She continues to inspire and encourage us to work with the same zeal.

The organisation is headed by the President, who is the wife of the incumbent Director General (W), CPWD.

The Executive Committee comprises of five vice-presidents, general secretary treasurer and convener.This committee also has five Secretaries to assist in specific activities,a Joint Secretary, a Joint Treasurer, Seven Executive members and upto four co-opted members.

Our main activities include :

 School and Day Care
 Vocational training centre
 Bal Basera (creche)
 Welfare projects
 Programming

The Governing Body, guides and advises the executive committee and comprises of two past presidents, two past senior members, President and the general secretary.

All past presidents are designated as Patron Members, who also advise the executive committee on various issues.

Since its inception in 1971 as a socio-cultural body, CPWD Officers’ Wives Association, has been promoting welfare programs and activities for employees of CPWD and others. The activities of the Association are spread throughout the country.

A nursery and play school is being run at Hriday Kunj in which a large number of children enroll every year, from the ages 3 to 6 years. The children passing out of this school are able to seek admission in good senior schools. A high standard of education is maintained at a very nominal charge for the benefit of those who cannot afford very expensive education. The curriculum and the facilities provided are at par with the best schools.

Along with the school the Association runs a ‘Day Care Centre’ at Hriday Kunj . This facility is extended to the children of working mothers at a nominal charge. There are ayahs and a supervisor to manage the centre under the guidance of the manager. The clean and congenial environment of the Day Care Centre makes it very popular in the vicinity.

Vocational Training Centre operates at the same premises and helps in training and empowerment of women. Women learn tailoring and embroidery here and go on to become economically independent.

One of the most important activities of the Association is to provide and manage creches / Bal Basera at various construction sites. Children of construction workers, in the age group of 1 to 7 years, are imparted non formal education, medical care and nutrition during working hours.

As part of welfare activities, the Association has been providing monetary help to needy families of Group C and D employees of CPWD all over the country. Scholarships are awarded on merit-cum-means basis to needy wards of CPWD employees. Girl students are also adopted through CASP by sponsoring their education. Donations are made for humanitarian causes to organisations like Blood Bank, Red Cross, Blind Schools, P.M.’s Relief Fund, CM’s Relief Fund ,CRY (to sponsor education of 10 children for one year). Books and notebooks are also provided to needy children. A scheme called ‘Parivar Ki Har Beti Apne Bharose’ is also being run, where in training is imparted to female dependents of CPWD group ‘C’ and ‘D’ employees.

A number of social and cultural events are organized by the association on a regular basis. Festivals like Teej, Holi and Diwali are celebrated collectively with great fervour. A Welfare Exhibition (Fete) is organized at the end of each year and cultural programs are organized during CPWD Day Celebrations in July every year in which family members and staff of CPWD participate from all over India.

Apart from generating funds for welfare activities these programmes generate a feeling of brotherhood among the employees and their families and help strengthen ties amongst them. This ensures that the organisation works together as a team at all levels.

Other means of fund raising for the Association are :publishing a magazine and getting sponsors for it and selling flags to various eminent personalities on Flag Day etc. Donations from individuals and organizations are also accepted.