**Executive Summary**
The Sports Authority of India Regional Centre, Mumbai celebrated International Women's Day 2026 on March 8th, 2026, under the theme "Strong Women, Strong Nation." The event aimed to promote women's empowerment through sports, fitness, and leadership, with a focus on inspiring young girls. Distinguished women leaders participated in panel discussions and demonstrations to encourage a healthier and more active India.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Event Theme and Purpose:**
* Celebration of International Women's Day 2026.
* Theme: "Strong Women, Strong Nation."
* Objective: To highlight women's empowerment through sports, fitness, leadership, and motivational journeys, encouraging young girls towards confidence, discipline, and an active lifestyle.
* **Key Participants and Guests:**
* Chief Guest: Dr. Smita Dolas Somane, Additional Director General, Directorate General of Valuation, Mumbai.
* Special Guests included veteran actress Himani Shivpuri, entrepreneur Madhu Chopra, awardee Alina Alam, Mrs. India 2022 Priyanka Bajaj Sibal, educationist Nivedita Shreyans, Olympian Ayonika Paul, Snehal Pinto, and PR expert Parul Chawla.
* **Event Activities:**
* Two panel discussions on the theme "Strong Women, Strong Nation," featuring experiences and journeys of distinguished women leaders.
* Panelists emphasized self-belief, resilience, leadership, sports participation, and mental well-being for women's empowerment.
* Felicitations and honorifics for distinguished guests as FIT INDIA AMBASSADORS to support the Fit India Movement.
* Demonstrations by girls and young participants showcasing strength, discipline, and confidence, including wrestling, a demonstration by Mitti Café Children, yoga, and a self-defence performance.
* A Heartfulness Meditation Session organized by the Heartfulness Institute to promote mental well-being and holistic wellness.
* **Attendance and Atmosphere:**
* Enthusiastic participation from approximately 500 girl students, parents, and community members.
* Creation of a vibrant and inspiring atmosphere at the SAI Regional Centre Mumbai campus.
**Impact Analysis**
**Girl Students and Young Participants**
* **Impact:** Directly inspired and motivated by the event's theme, guest speakers, and demonstrations. Encouraged to pursue sports, fitness, and develop confidence and discipline.
* **Action Required:** Continue to engage in sports and fitness activities, embrace the principles of self-belief and resilience discussed, and participate in similar empowerment initiatives.
**Parents and Community Members**
* **Impact:** Witnessed and supported the empowerment of young girls. Potentially gained insights into the importance of sports, fitness, and holistic wellness for their children and the community.
* **Action Required:** Encourage and support the participation of girls and young women in sports, fitness, and leadership activities. Foster an environment that promotes confidence and the pursuit of dreams.
**Distinguished Guests and Panelists**
* **Impact:** Recognized and honored for their contributions to fitness and empowerment. Contributed their expertise and experiences to inspire others.
* **Action Required:** Continue to serve as role models and FIT INDIA AMBASSADORS, actively supporting the Fit India Movement and promoting women's empowerment through their respective fields.
**Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centre Mumbai**
* **Impact:** Successfully hosted a significant event promoting its objectives of fitness and women's empowerment. Enhanced its role in community engagement and national initiatives like the Fit India Movement.
* **Action Required:** Continue to organize and support similar events and programs that foster women's empowerment, fitness, and overall well-being within the community.
Key Entities Referenced
Strong Women, Strong Nation: Theme of the event and panel discussions focused on women's empowerment through sports, fitness, and leadership.
Sports Authority of India Regional Centre, Mumbai: The organizing entity that celebrated International Women's Day.
Fit India Movement: Nationwide mission supported by the event, aiming to build a healthier and more active India.
Dr. Smita Dolas Somane: Chief Guest of the event, Additional Director General, Directorate General of Valuation, Mumbai.
Mumbai: Location where the event was held.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Strong Women, Strong Nation: SAI Regional
Centre Mumbai Celebrates International
Women’s Day with Inspiring Leaders and
Empowering Demonstrations
Posted On: 09 MAR 2026 6:44PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 8 March 2026
The Sports Authority of India Regional Centre, Mumbai successfully celebrated
International Women’s Day 2026 under the inspiring theme “Strong Women, Strong
Nation.” The event highlighted women’s empowerment through sports, fitness,
leadership, and motivational journeys, encouraging young girls to pursue
confidence, discipline, and an active lifestyle.
The programme was graced by the Chief Guest, Dr. Smita Dolas Somane, Additional
Director General, Directorate General of Valuation, Mumbai.
An accomplished endurance athlete and fitness enthusiast, she has successfully
completed 34 marathons and ultra-marathons and holds a Guinness World Record in
an Ultra Marathon held in Satara.
On the occasion, Dr. Smita Dolas Somane remarked: “A strong nation is built when
women are empowered with confidence, fitness, and the courage to pursue their
dreams.”The event featured two engaging panel discussions on the theme “Strong Women,
Strong Nation,” where distinguished women leaders shared their experiences,
challenges, and inspirational journeys in their respective fields.
Special Guests in the the Event Included:
• Himani Shivpuri – Veteran Film & Television Actress
• Madhu Chopra – Entrepreneur & Film Producer
• Alina Alam – President Awardee, Founder & CEO, Mitti Café
• Priyanka Bajaj Sibal – Mrs. India 2022
• Nivedita Shreyans – Eminent Educationist, Director PR, Heartfulness Wellness &
Meditation
• Ayonika Paul – Olympian & International Rifle Shooter
• Snehal Pinto – Director, Ryan Group of Institutions
• Parul Chawla – Owner, Picture N Kraft Media & PR Communications Expert
During the discussions, the panelists highlighted the importance of self-belief,
resilience, leadership, sports participation, and mental well-being in empowering
women and shaping a stronger society.
Sharing her thoughts during the panel, Dr. Madhu Chopra stated: “When women
believe in themselves and support one another, they create powerful change not
only for themselves but for society as a whole.”
In recognition of their inspiring contributions and commitment towards promoting
fitness and empowerment, all the distinguished guests were felicitated and
honoured as FIT INDIA AMBASSADORS, supporting the nationwide mission of the Fit
India Movement to build a healthier and more active India.
The celebration also featured a series of dynamic demonstrations performed by girls
and young participants, showcasing strength, discipline, and confidence. These
included:
• Girls Wrestling Demonstration
• Demonstration by Mitti Café Children
• Yoga Demonstration by Yogasana Bharat
• “Mardaani” Self-Defence PerformanceA special Heartfulness Meditation Session was also conducted during the event,
organised by the Heartfulness Institute, promoting mental well-being, inner
balance, and holistic wellness among the participants.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from around 500 girl students, along
with parents and members of the community, creating a vibrant and inspiring
atmosphere at the SAI Regional Centre Mumbai campus.
PIB Mumbai| Sriyanka Chatterjee/Priti Malandkar
Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PI
BMumbai /pibmumbai
(Release ID: 2237144) Visitor Counter : 34