**Executive Summary**
The President of India addressed the National Convention of Women Thought Leaders on March 8, 2026, in New Delhi. The convention, organized by Bharatiya Vidvat Parishat in association with Rashtra Sevika Samiti-Sharanya, focused on the theme ‘Bhāratī –Nārī to Nārāyanī.’ The President highlighted women's contributions and urged the audience to embrace women's empowerment and leadership.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Women's Equality and Capabilities:**
* Women are equal to or superior to men in various dimensions including service, dedication, nationalism, bravery, patience, and talent.
* Higher education institutions often see a greater number of female students receiving medals for outstanding performance, demonstrating their potential when given opportunities.
* **Challenges Faced by Women:**
* Despite advancements, women continue to face social stereotypes, economic inequalities, and psychological barriers.
* Addressing these issues requires collective efforts based on sensitivity.
* **Role of Rashtriya Sevika Samiti and Sharanya:**
* Organizations like Rashtriya Sevika Samiti can make a decisive contribution to overcoming challenges faced by women.
* The initiative "Sharanya," established under Rashtriya Sevika Samiti nearly a decade ago, focuses on the development of education, skills, self-reliance, and leadership abilities among women from disadvantaged communities.
* This initiative is seen as a positive step towards building an inclusive and developed India.
* **Cultural and Societal Progress:**
* The inseparability of Shiva and Shakti in tradition symbolizes the fundamental equality and harmony required between women and men for societal progress.
* Human society's progress depends on both women and men functioning as equal partners.
* **Women's Contributions and Future Vision:**
* Women are contributing across diverse fields, from self-employment to the armed forces, and have set global standards in sports.
* National efforts in women's health, education, safety, and economic empowerment have led to increased women's participation.
* The country is moving forward with the concept of women-led development.
* **Convention Objectives:**
* The two-day convention aimed to celebrate, reflect upon, and re-articulate the evolving role of women in India.
* The transition from "Nārī" as a social participant to "Nārāyanī" signifies women as a force of wisdom, leadership, compassion, and strength.
**Impact Analysis**
**Women thought leaders and participants**
* **Impact:** Attendees were inspired by historical examples of women's achievements and encouraged to implement ideals of women's empowerment in contemporary society. They received insights into collective efforts to address societal barriers and were motivated by the vision of women-led development.
* **Action Required:** Reflect upon and integrate the presented ideals and examples into their personal and professional lives.
**Organizers (Bharatiya Vidvat Parishat and Rashtra Sevika Samiti-Sharanya)**
* **Impact:** Their efforts in organizing the convention were recognized and validated by the President's participation and address. The work of Rashtriya Sevika Samiti and the "Sharanya" initiative received commendation.
* **Action Required:** Continue their initiatives to foster women's development, education, skills, self-reliance, and leadership.
**Disadvantaged Communities**
* **Impact:** The "Sharanya" initiative, aimed at developing education, skills, self-reliance, and leadership among women from these communities, was highlighted as a positive step for their empowerment.
* **Action Required:** Benefit from the programs and initiatives offered by "Sharanya" to enhance their capabilities and opportunities.
**Society and the Nation**
* **Impact:** The convention reinforced the idea of women's equal contribution to societal progress and emphasized the importance of women's leadership for an inclusive and developed India.
* **Action Required:** Embrace and actively promote women's equality, leadership, and empowerment in all spheres of life.
Key Entities Referenced
Rashtriya Sevika Samiti: An organization engaged in initiatives to increase women's participation and develop education, skills, self-reliance, and leadership abilities among women.
Sharanya: An initiative established under the Rashtriya Sevika Samiti for the development of women from disadvantaged communities.
Bharatiya Vidvat Parishat: An organization that co-organized the National Convention of Women Thought Leaders.
National Convention of Women Thought Leaders: An event addressing the role of women in India and their contributions.
New Delhi: The location where the National Convention of Women Thought Leaders was held.
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES THE NATIONAL
CONVENTION OF WOMEN THOUGHT LEADERS
IN NEW DELHI
Posted On: 08 MAR 2026 7:05PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the National Convention of Women
Thought Leaders, organised by Bharatiya Vidvat Parishat in association with Rashtra Sevika Samiti-
Sharanya, in New Delhi today (March 8, 2026). The theme of the Convention was ‘Bhāratī –Nārī to
Nārāyanī.’
Addressing the gathering, the President said that from the intelligence of Brahmavadini women in the
Vedic period to the bravery and wisdom of Rani Durgavati, Veermata Jijabai, Rani Chennamma,
Lakshmibai, Jhalkaribai and Devi Ahilyabai Holkar in the modern era, these ideals are a source of
inspiration for the entire society, especially for women. She urged the audience to remember these
inspiring examples of women's empowerment and to put their ideals into practice today.The President said that women are equal to or even superior to men in many dimensions like service,
dedication, nationalism, bravery, patience, and talent. In most convocation ceremonies at higher education
institutions, the number of female students receiving medals for outstanding performance is higher. This
shows that, given the opportunity, girls can perform better. However, we must also accept the harsh reality
that even today, many women face social stereotypes, economic inequalities, and psychological barriers.
Such problems facing women can only be addressed through collective efforts based on sensitivity.
Organizations like the Rashtriya Sevika Samiti can make a decisive contribution in this direction. She was
happy to note that an organization launched nearly nine decades ago is now actively engaged in various
initiatives to increase women's participation. She noted that nearly a decade ago, "Sharanya" was
established under the Rashtriya Sevika Samiti, which aims for the development of education, skills, self-
reliance, and leadership abilities among women from disadvantaged communities. She expressed
confidence that this initiative will prove to be a positive step towards building an inclusive and developed
India.The President said that in our tradition, Shakti is the one who completes Shiva. The inseparability of Shiva
and Shakti is fundamental to our cultural consciousness. The chariot of human society's progress will
move forward only when both wheels of that chariot, that is, women and men, are completely equal and in
harmony.
The President said that women are contributing to a wide range of fields, from self-employment to the
armed forces. They have set new standards globally in sports. She was happy to note that national efforts
towards women's health, education, safety, and economic empowerment have led to increased women’s
participation in many areas. She said that today our country is moving forward with the idea of women-
led development.
The two-day Convention aims to celebrate, reflect upon and re-articulate the role of women in India,
transitioning from Nārī as a social participant to Nārāyanī as a force of wisdom, leadership, compassion
and strength.
Click here for President's Speech.
*****
MJPS / PRK
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