– Women’s Day 2: Celebrating Women’s Empowerment
Gujrat :- Tens of thousands gathered at Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar to participate in the evening assembly titled ‘Women’s Day 2: Celebrating Women’s Empowerment’. Women from around the world sang a medley of devotional hymns and women dignitaries paid tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s immense efforts to foster the holistic empowerment and development of millions of girls and women worldwide.
Bhagwan Swaminarayan empowered women in the early nineteenth century through his social and spiritual reforms and efforts. His fifth spiritual successor, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, continued and expanded women’s activities and social work globally. An ardent champion of women’s education, Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired the construction of large girls’ schools in Karamsad and Randesan, Gujarat, where thousands of girls have and continue to benefit from the best educational resources tailored to intellectual, cultural and spiritual development. Moreover, he established centres globally where women gain spiritual knowledge, career, education and family guidance, and participate in workshops and conferences. He encouraged women to lead their local and regional centres, assemblies, departments and conventions, so that they may develop their talent and skills alongside their spirituality. Through thousands of BAPS centres worldwide, the organisation of over 60 young women’s skill-development conventions and over 100 talent development platforms, Pramukh Swami Maharaj and BAPS have nurtured and given opportunities to women, who go on to become cornerstones of their families and societies and successful in their careers.
Examples of how Pramukh Swami Maharaj empowered women can be found at the dedicated “Women’s Empowerment Pavilion” at Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar, where seminars, dialogues, performances and forums are organised and managed daily by the BAPS Women’s Wing. The devotion of the BAPS Women’s Wing can be further witnessed at Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar through the 33,000 women who have dedicated themselves to serve for the month-long celebrations.
Evening Assembly
Today’s evening assembly, titled “Women’s Day”, began at 5pm with a special medley of devotional hymns sung by an all-female ensemble from across the world and accompanied by traditional Indian as well as Western instruments.
Dignitaries and invited guests then paid tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s immense efforts to foster the holistic empowerment and development of millions of girls and women worldwide.
Amruta Fadnavis, Vice-President Axis Bank, Actor, Singer and Social Activist, said, “I have seen a truly beautiful festival today. Pramukh Swami Maharaj spread the message of love across the world and it is wonderful to see everybody including the children following his messages today. He considered everyone a member of his family, which is evident from the 750,000 letters he wrote to devotees. His guidance to lead everyone towards spiritual liberation differentiates him as a true Guru. Today I bow to Mahant Swami Maharaj, who is taking his legacy forward.”
Evelyn Anite, State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatization of Uganda, shared, “When I come to India, I can feel the maxim of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, ‘In the joy of others lies our own.’ I was pleased to meet Indian government officials as well as Indian people to tell them that our President has recognized Indians as one of the tribes of Uganda. Uganda is a land of peace and unity, and I invite all of you to come. I will take back with me the respectful way Indians treat one another, by bowing and saying ‘namaste’, symbolising peace. Indians are the most hardworking and trustworthy citizens, and Uganda will always welcome you to be a part of our family.”
Smriti Irani, Minister of Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs of India, added, “The depth of my feelings about my experiences at Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar are inexpressible. Years ago, when my husband and son met Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the BAPS temple in Mumbai, I stood at a distance and did his darshan. Today, when I stand here and see all women devotees here, I think, in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, at the refuge of the guru – there is strength.
“The dharma of a woman is clear, but what about men? Today, as I explored the Nagar and Bal Nagari, I was given a book in which Pramukh Swami Maharaj was asked, ‘How can one become an ideal husband and father?’ Pramukh Swami Maharaj replied, ‘Make time for your family. Turn off the TV and read scriptures with your children.’ His response was to relinquish gadgets for scripture.
to each other with an awareness of its meaning – the divine in me bows to the divine in you. This exemplifies the values of Sanatan Dharma and Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
“We women can make the lessons of Pramukh Swami Maharaj the backbone of society because we care for the next generation. So, the sincere awareness of the divinity within ourselves and others will make us pure from within, allowing us to better see the divinity in all. Pramukh Swami Maharaj taught that when we see God in everyone, nobody is seen to be different.”
Other stage guests today included:
Bhartiben Dhirubhai Shiyal, National Vice President of BJP
Shardaben Patel, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Poonamben Maadam, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Sanyuktakumari Vijayrajsinh Gohil, Maharani of Bhavnagar
Rivaba Jadeja, MLA for Jamnagar (Gujarat)
