Kisan Trust hosts first Aparajita Samman Ceremony on Women's Day
New Delhi: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Kisan Trust celebrated the resilience, progress and empowerment of women by organising the first Aparajita Samman Ceremony. The event reflected the Trust’s commitment to the welfare and gender equality of women who are striving to bring about a positive change in society.
The evening began with the welcome of Dr Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics India and Chairperson of Asia Pacific Advisory Council, who graced the event as the Chief Guest. The event highlighted the efforts being made by the Trust towards social justice, women empowerment and rural development. The event served as an important platform for inspiring stories and meaningful discussions.
Empowerment of Acid Attack Survivors: A Step Towards Dignity and Elegance
Led by Ms. Sahira Singh, this session was one of the most powerful moments of the evening, focusing on supporting acid attack survivors who have given a new lease of life to these brave women who have faced physical, emotional and social challenges. Kisan Trust provided financial assistance to these women, and Dr. Mallika Nadda personally handed over the cheques to them. This gesture reaffirms the Trust’s commitment to helping these women lead their lives with dignity, confidence and independence.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mallika Nadda emphasised that women empowerment is imperative for building a progressive society. She spoke about equal opportunities for women, financial inclusion and policy changes. She emphasised the need to create an environment where women can truly thrive.
‘It is heartening to see women from rural and urban areas stepping up in this way and embodying the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Women must understand their role in the family, society and the country. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister has always been in favour of women-oriented development and today we reaffirm this commitment. When women support each other for their welfare, they unleash new waves of change. Their perseverance knows no bounds, their achievements inspire generations.'
Speaking on behalf of Kisan Trust, Mrs. Charu Singh, Trustee gave a powerful message emphasizing the importance of inclusive conversations. She shared her experience with women from different backgrounds.
'Such panel discussions and conversations are often limited to big cities and in most cases such discussions are conducted in English. But the reality is that whether women live in cities or villages, whether they are professional employees or housewives - there are many similarities in our lives. Our needs, our issues and our struggles are the same. In such a situation, it is important that we work together, share our ideas and experiences, improve our present and move forward towards a strong future.'
She expressed hope that the discussions at the Aparajita Samman ceremony will have a positive impact on the society: 'I hope that the discussions on this platform will prove to be very useful for you. It is possible that after listening to this discussion, you may think about bringing some changes in your life. This session will definitely inspire you to become a source of inspiration and role model for the coming generations.'
Two panel discussions were held during the program. During the first panel discussion, important issues related to women's health such as menstrual and hormonal health, reproductive health and fitness were discussed. Experts shared their views on the impact of diet on women's health and the importance of awareness about health and medicine. She spoke about how policy changes and grassroots efforts can ensure that women's health is not overlooked. The second panel discussion highlighted how technology can prove to be a game-changer in making women financially self-reliant. The discussion talked about empowering women, especially rural women, through financial and digital literacy. Also, the importance of digital tools in entrepreneurship and financial stability was discussed. Experts also deliberated on the role of AI in bridging the digital divide, responsible digital use and creating new opportunities for women.
Some of the eminent personalities who participated in the panel discussion included Deepika Anand (Operations Officer, World Bank), Dr Shehla Jamal (Senior Gynecologist, Sarvodaya Hospital and Founder, Society of Menstrual Disorders), Ishi Khosla (Clinical Nutritionist, Author and Founder, Whole Foods and the Celiac Society of India), Shefali Panda (Trustee and CEO, Bansidhar and Ila Panda Foundation who leads Project Unnati).