New Delhi: International Women’s Day should be directed in a constructive direction rooted in Indian cultural values, Rashtra Sevika Samiti general secretary Seetha Gayatri Annadanam on Saturday said.
Asked how the nearly 90-year-old organization views International Women’s Day on March 8, which is often described as a Western concept, Gayatri told PTI that social conditions evolve with time, and occasions that acquire social significance should be guided positively.
“When a particular day begins to have a strong social impact, instead of ignoring it, we should direct it in a constructive direction,” she said.
Although it was not traditionally significant, a large number of people now visit temples on that day, she said, citing January 1 as an example. “This year, nearly 200,000 devotees had darshan of Lord Ram on January 1, the highest number recorded in a single day. This shows that when society gives importance to a particular day, we can connect it with our cultural and spiritual values,” she added.
She said that women across the country come together on March 8 to attend various programmes. “If such a platform already exists, we should not abandon it. Our efforts should focus on ensuring that such occasions do not just move in the direction of Western-style feminism, but instead reflect our cultural thinking, social harmony and Indian value system,” she said.
Responding to a question about the implementation gap in women’s safety despite stronger laws, Bharatiya Vidvat Parishat Secretary Professor Shivani V told PTI that India has enacted several strong legal provisions, but law alone is not enough.
“The real gap lies in social awareness and, more importantly, in the mentality,” she said. “We must change not only the system, but the mentality as well.” Shivani said empowering women requires group solidarity.
“If women unite, crimes can be reduced significantly,” she said. “Silence and isolation encourage crime, and loneliness discourages it.” Emphasizing the role of the family, she highlighted the concept of “Shikshit Mata”, saying that moral education and respect for women should begin at home.
Meanwhile, Gayatri spoke about self-defence training and workshops organized for young girls, including programs organized annually on Jhansi Lakshmibai Jayanti in colleges, which reach out to about a lakh students every year.
The two-day conference will be organized by Rashtra Sevika Samiti, Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad and Charanya at Vigyan Bhavan here on March 7 and 8.
President Draupadi Murmu, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, Minister of State for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar, chairperson of the National Commission for Women, are expected to attend the conference.
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