The annual event for International Women’s Day was organised on the 7th of March 2022 at Swami Vivekanand Subharti University. The event celebrates the women high achievers for their illustrious achievements and contributions to society by conferring them with the Vidushi Samman.
The event was graced by the Chief Guest – Dr. (Mrs.) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary-General, Association of Indian Universities, Delhi. Guest of Honour – Prof. (Dr.) Neharika Vohra, Vice-Chancellor, DSEU and Special guests Ms. Anamika Jain Amber International Poet, Meerut, Dr. Poonam Devdutt, President, MMA, Meerut, Dr. Renu Bhagat, President, IMA, Meerut, Ms. Richa Singh, Founder & Chairperson, Global Social Connect NGO, Delhi, Padamshree Nalini Asthana, and Padamshree Kamalini Asthana, Eminent Kathak Exponent, New Delhi, Dr. Sr. Christina, Principal, St. Joseph’s Girls Degree College, Sardhana, Ms. Anshu Tyagi Lokpal, Meerut and Prof. (Dr.) Snigdha Pattnaik, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, DSEU
The Hon’ble Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Chief Executive Officer, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and Dean Faculty of Management welcomed the guests with a sapling as per the tradition of the university. A sapling signifies growth and sustainability which coincides with “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” the theme for International Women’s Day, 2022. According to the UN website – Women are increasingly being recognized as more vulnerable to climate change impacts than men, as they constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent on the natural resources that climate change threatens the most.
All the women achievers were conferred with the Vidushi Samman and called on the stage to share their suggestions and experiences with the students and staff members in the audience. The Chief Guest – Dr. (Mrs.) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary-General, Association of Indian Universities shared an inspiring tale of a woman who was a homemaker but changed her perception for others by merely introducing herself as a researcher of family development and home management. She said that there needs to be a change in the mindset of the women in our country so that the homemakers who play the most endearing and important role in a family do not feel like “they do nothing”.
Prof. (Dr.) Neharika Vohra the Guest of Honour said that it is surprising to see an 11% drop in the women workforce in the country despite an increase in the number of females seeking schooling and higher education. She inspired the female students in the audience to make a career for themselves once they are through with their education. She also added that men should be inclusive with women in any conversation about “career” and not assume that their female counterparts will get married and settle down with kids in a few years.
Prof. (Dr.) Snigdha Pattnaik said that she is positive that someday it will be a common ecosystem in our society for women to be in leadership positions just as men. She encouraged women to step-up and take responsibility at their workplaces.
“Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Failure is not fatal”, Prof. (Dr.) Snigdha Pattnaik
Dr. Sr. Christina said that she will be keeping all the students in her prayers and that she is honored to receive the Vidushi Samman.
“Become deserving before you have a desire” ~ Padamshree Nalini Asthana.
Nalini Ji expressed her desire to perform for the students in the magnificent Maangalya Convention centre. She mesmerised the crowd with a Kavita (poem). Click on the video link below to view the recording.
Ms. Richa Singh inspired the students with an anecdote about her visit to the rural areas where women attend the awareness camps for free gifts. The women question what has the government given to them for having a girl child? She shared a slogan she uses when she visits such areas for work ~
“Kyon rahe chup kar ab, ab nahi tho kab?”
Mrs. Stuti Narain Kacker, Hon’ble Chancellor said that it is most important for all the women to remember and help each other. She reminisced about our late founder and Sangha Mata Dr. Mukti Bhatnagar and Shooter Dadi’s speech during the last year’s Vidushi Samman ceremony.
The Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) GK Thapliyal (retd. Major General) spoke about the importance of women’s day and the theme for 2022 by the United Nations. He said that women’s day is celebrated to celebrate the women who have braved rough weather and managed to achieve great milestones. Sir, said that Subharti University is highly successful in attracting women students through its wide range of programs offered. Hon’ble VC sir said that the Faculty of Medicine established a chair in the name of the late founder Sangha Mata Dr. Mukti Bhatnagar and a foundation that is working on the themes such as gender equality, holistic health, and the prevention of gender-based violence prevention. He added that the University is header by a woman Chancellor, a woman Chief Executive Officer, a woman director of Distance Education, a woman Chief Controller of Examinations, woman Director IQAC and various university committees are headed by women.
Students from the Faculty of Management & Commerce, Faculty of Law, Faculty of AYUSH and the Faculty of Education enthralled the audience with their individual skits, music and yoga demonstrations Towards the end of the event.
The thanking note was read by none other than the most admired Chief Executive Officer of the University, Prof. (Dr.) Shalya Raj. Prof. (Dr.) Shalya thanked all the esteemed guests for taking out the time to join us on this special occasion and expressed her gratitude. She concluded the proceedings with three important points for all the female students. I.e.
- Don’t make womanhood an excuse, believe in the strength that you have.
- Don’t bear injustice and don’t do injustice. Do not misuse your rights as a female.
- Help other women.
