Empowering Women: Key Insights from the ‘Nari to Narayani’ Convention
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, March 8 (NationPress) Speakers at the National Convention of Women, titled ‘Bharati – Nari to Narayani’, highlighted the urgent need for promoting female-led development that is deeply rooted in Indian values. They also called for concrete action plans to empower women nationwide.
In an interview with IANS, Dr. Leena Rahane, a professor at an engineering institution, articulated that the concept of ‘Nari Se Narayani’ aims to elevate the dignity and pride of women in India.
“The idea of ‘Nari Se Narayani’ serves to awaken the dignity and pride of women in our nation. It resonates with the age-old prayer: ‘Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya, Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya’ — guiding us from darkness to light and from mortality to immortality. It is crucial to stress how women-led development is pivotal for India’s progress,” she stated.
Surekha Dangwal, Vice Chancellor of Doon University, described the convention as an essential platform for fruitful discussions on women's empowerment anchored in the Indian ethos.
“It was an enriching experience. We had a substantive discussion on how the tools available for Indian women to seize opportunities cannot be of Western origin and should not be merely termed as feminism. Many participants shared insights reflecting our Indian identity,” she remarked.
Dr. Tripta Thakur, Vice Chancellor of Uttarakhand Technical University, emphasized the traditional Indian viewpoint on gender equality.
“In Indian culture, women have never been viewed as inferior to men, as we belong to a tradition that illustrates the concept of Ardhanarishwar,” she explained.
Venita Sahay, Director of IIM Bodh Gaya, underscored the necessity of concentrating on opportunities and outcomes.
“I hold a slightly different perspective as I believe that our focus drives expansion. Therefore, we should discuss more about opportunities. Conversations should revolve around creativity, outputs, and results,” she added.
Neeta Chaturvedi, Executive Group Director of Ashkom Media Pvt Ltd, stressed the importance of transitioning from discussions to implementation.
“Beyond the papers and the confines of this hall, I advocate for an actionable plan to be drafted and executed,” she remarked.
Reeva Sood, an agribusiness entrepreneur collaborating with women farmers in Himachal Pradesh, expressed her pride in participating in the initiative and called for enhanced efforts in rural regions.
“I am immensely proud to be part of this program. Our plans are well-structured, but we must intensify our efforts to uplift our sisters in rural areas,” she emphasized.
The convention gathered women leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to discuss the role of women in nation-building and the vision of transforming Nari into Narayani through empowerment and leadership.