Shakti Vandan Event Celebrates Women’s Empowerment in Mumbai On March 6th, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a “Shakti Vandan” or Women’s Empowerment event organized by the women’s wing of the BJP in South Mumbai’s Worli constituency. All women members of the local BJP unit gathered to listen to the Prime Minister’s virtual address on the occasion.
The opening ceremony commenced with a traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp by BJP national spokesperson Vanathi Srinivasan and local MLA Sheetal Mhatre. Modi’s pre-recorded video message was then broadcast to the assembled gathering.
In his address, the Prime Minister emphasized his government’s vision of an India where women played an equal role across all spheres of society. “We have undertaken numerous schemes to promote gender equality, from providing free LPG connections to open bank accounts and easier access to education and skills training for our Nari Shakti,” he stated.
Modi highlighted flagship programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, aimed at generating awareness to combat gender discrimination and enabling girls’ access to education. He cited statistics pointing to improved gender ratios and declining dropout rates for girls as positive signs of societal progress.
The Prime Minister also lauded women’s increasing participation in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through initiatives like Mudra loans for self-employment. “Our daughters and mothers are proving their mettle as job creators and leaders across sectors today,” he remarked.
Addressing concerns around women’s safety, Modi reaffirmed his government’s zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against women through stringent legislation and fast-track courts to ensure swift justice.
Political analysts viewed the Shakti Vandan program as an outreach by the ruling BJP to consolidate its traditional base among women voters ahead of upcoming elections. “The government has rolled out people-friendly schemes which have resonated well with women from poorer sections,” noted Sanjeev Kumar, a senior fellow at the Observers’ Research Foundation.
However, women’s rights activists argued that more concerted efforts are needed to change regressive mindsets and translate policies into meaningful impact. “Laws alone won’t suffice unless patriarchal attitudes are dismantled through holistic social re-engineering across institutions,” stated Roshini Bakshi, director of the Center for Women’s Development Studies.
Corporate leaders emphasized the business imperative of promoting diversity and equal opportunities for women. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson of Biocon Limited, said, “An empowered workforce with 50% women will hugely boost India’s productivity and economic competitiveness in the future.”
The event commemorating International Women’s Day witnessed participation from hundreds of women BJP functionaries and volunteers from across Mumbai. It concluded with a cultural program showcasing the achievements of role models from various fields.
In his concluding remarks, Modi reasserted his vision of a “New India” where women led the way as nation-builders. He urged all citizens to take a pledge to create an equitable society by respecting women’s dignity and promoting their progress at every step.
