A message is required in today’s world to strengthen humanity which is at peril. And empowerment of humanity goes through the empowerment of women around the world. This is the message which was given in the two-day International session of debate and discussion on it in the premises of the GLS University, Ahemdabad.

Jointly organised by the With WILPF -India Section and Law Society of Gujrat, the occasion witnessed a huge support from the people with the energising presence during the function. The top personalities from the mainstream India gathered and shared their notions on the subject -EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN IS THE EMPOWERMENT OF HUMANITY.

Inauguration of this conference was done by Shree Sudhir Nanavati, president of GLS University. Chief guests of this conference were- Shree AgusUdayan (Padma Shree), Bali, Indonesia, Pro. Mark Lindley, Leading professor of USA, Rajeshwari Sachdev, National Award winner Indian actress and Ms. BeenaHanda, well known woman entrepreneur and director of POESIS. They were felicitated. More than 20 distinguished speakers addressed in various session.

On this occasion, chief guest Shree Agus Indra Udayanstarted his address with welfare mantra ‘Aum SwastiAstu’ and asked audience in Gujarati, ‘Kem chho? Majaman?” He said India has contributed a lot in women empowerment. There is Sanskrit Sloka ‘Tvamevmata cha pita tvamev’. In it, why mother comes first? Why not father? He said spirit of Rishis inspire us. India is the land where Teressa becomes mother Teressa.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Nandan Jha, Secretary General, Gandhi Mandela Foundation quoted the world known Indian spiritual thought displaying the paramount respect for women- ‘यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यंते रमन्ते तत्र देवता’ which says a place where women are respected, Gods live up there.

Sighting Mahatma Gandhi’s example, Mr Jha said it was this grand Indian saint whose efforts took the ordinary women out of the centuries of mind set and gave them courage to take a peek beyond the threshold of the four walls of their homes. And that is how gradually the abolition of child marriage, enforced widowhood could be possible which was now extended by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi who going one step ahead helped Indian women get rid of the clutches of Tripal talak with its abrogation. 

Mr Jha said India can never be indebted for what Gandhi has done for the women on Indian soil. He asked the women of India to shed fear and tear down the Purdah with one mighty force. Condemning discriminatory inheritance laws, Gandhi advocated equal wages for men and women. His insistence on improved educational facilities for women as an essential step towards realizing these changes is truly incredible. 

For Mahatma Gandhi, Mr Jha said, the question of upliftment of women was to create an ongoing dialogue for the dignity of women. Hence, today with in their quest for equality and justice women need to plan to face the new challenges being thrown up each day. Gandhi helped women find a new dignity in public life which gave her a fresh identity in the national mainstream. 

The Gandhian quotation was welcomed with a huge round of applause when Mr Jha said - Advising men, Gandhi ji said, “where capable women have left out, men should make amends. It is their duty to give such encouragement to women as will enable them to outshine men. 

Nandan Jha also announced that the Champions of Change award for 2022 will be given to Sh Sudhir Nanavati. Jury for this award includes two former chief justice of India- K. G. Balakrishnan and Dipak Mishra.

While Mr Jha, Secretary General, GMF also visited the Sabarmati Ashram and was overwhelmed to see the response he received there and he said that it gave him immense pleasure after getting to know so much more about the divine soul of Bapu and everytime he visits the ashram he takes so much positivity out of here and he would want to visit the place again and again as it is so close to his heart.

 

Prof. Shree Mark Lingley, who came straight from USA at age of 85 years, wearing Gandhi cap, said, Simon De Beauvoir was first who talked on Gender equality. There was a slogan in Germany ‘Kinder, Kuche, Kirche’ meaning ‘Children, Kitchen, Church’. It described role of woman in society. But then society awakened.

Well known women entrepreneur BeenaHanda said, “My mother couldn’t have education after seventh std because it was co-education then after and Mynanaji denied it. The scenario is changed today. There comes a truth moment in everybody’s life. We require family support first Second, have faith in yourself.”

Well known actress Rajeshwari Sachdev told that It is empowerment when your work is appreciated. When it is acknowledged who you are then it is empowerment. I am lucky that I had not to face any question in my family. My brother and I were raised equally. Women need security and empathy. There must be clean washroom at work place, When you asked for this, they say, manage it. How to manage? We have vanity vans but not every one has it. Many junior technicians don’t drink water to avoid going washrooms.

Shree Sudhir Nanavati, president of GLS Univeristy thanked all guests and said that now the time has come that we create gender equality at domestic front and work place. Women give birth, so they are more strong then men. We have started GLS-Gandhian Society recently. Once, some one asked Gandhiji to give message to youths, he said, my life is my message. He said we have women head at GLS institutes and we keep gender equality.

Female secretary of WILPF Pushpa Motiyani said, violence will decrease when power of women will awaken. If woman boycott her father/husband/son if they do wrong, then terrorism, rape will end. At every place, women have to fight for three things- Naam (Name), Kaam (work), Dhaam (place). For these, they need three covers- Security, Education and Nutrition.

Yesterday on 26 March 2022 was the first day of the significant thought-provoking international intellectual session which will follow its Day-2 today with the speeches and notions of other eminent personalities present in the function.

Gujarat Law Society, established in the year 1927, is one of the largest and oldest educational trusts in the State of Gujarat. GLS was promoted by luminaries like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Shri Ganesh Mavlankar, the first Speaker of the country and Shri I.M. Nanavati with the vision of Excellence in Education.

GLS currently has more than 25,000 students pursuing their graduate, post graduate and doctoral level studies at various levels within the university and its constituent colleges/institutions.