The Centenary Year Celebration of the Poona Women’s Council was marked with a seminar on ‘Empowering Women and Children’
PUNE: “Women themselves need to alter their misconception of being the oppressed gender. They need to stop blaming themselves in every situation, not cry over failures, and change the approach of succumbing to any situation. Women along with men need to remember that women are capable in every sense”, opined Meenakshi Lekhi, Former Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India.
She was speaking as the Chief Guest at a seminar on ‘Empowering Women and Children’ marking the Centenary Year Celebration of Poona Women’s Council yesterday at Shakuntala Shetty Auditorium at 11 am. Poona Women’s Council President Pushpa Hegde, Vice President Katyani Balasubramanian, renowned Child Psychiatrist Dr. Harish Shetty, Council Treasurer Mini-Grant, Managing Trustee Abeda Inamdar, and others were present on the occasion. During the seminar, Meenakshi Lekhi felicitated 11 ex-presidents of the council as well as famous social worker and director of ‘Manavya’ Ujjwala Lavate.
Meenakshi Lekhi shared many personal examples while talking about the empowerment of women. She said, “Women should always focus on their positive aspects. Emphasis should always be placed on teamwork rather than solo efforts as collective efforts always get better support than individual efforts. Women should always remember the mantra- ‘With each other for each other’ and work together with the belief that together we can do it and we will do it, as work that brings everyone together is not only successful but also long-lasting as is exemplified by the Poona Women’s Council celebrating its centenary year.“
Dr. Harish Shetty unfolded the facets of children’s emotions and qualities. He said, “Parents need to empower themselves before making any statements about children. It is the responsibility of parents to impart the right knowledge along with teaching children how to deal with rejections, be flexible, understand pain and suffering, respect food, emotions, and hardships, cope with pain, pressure, and stress, appreciate the success of others, stay together and maintain a sense of cooperation. The need of the hour is for parents to also involve children in every decision-making process at home.”
After being facilitated, Ujjwala Lavate detailed the social work being done by her organization ‘Manavya’.
Pushpa Hegde presented the introduction with a brief review of the progress of the Council over the last hundred years. Rakhi Shetty and Suchita Shroff introduced the guests. Katyani Balasubramanian was the event coordinator and the program was moderated by Vaishali Lakdawala and Rakhi Shetty. Council Secretary Ratush Wadia proposed the vote of thanks. Disciples of Bharatnatyam dancer Arundhati Patwardhan performed Ganesh Vandana.
