New Delhi, March 11, 2025: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Kisan Trust proudly hosted the inaugural Aparajita Samman Samaroh—a heartfelt celebration of women’s resilience, empowerment, and progress. This event reinforced the Trust’s deep commitment to gender equality and uplifting women who are driving meaningful change in society.
The evening began with a warm welcome for the Chief Guest, Dr. Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat and Chairperson of the Asia Pacific Advisory Council (APAC), by the members of Kisan Trust. The event highlighted the Trust’s ongoing initiatives in social justice, women’s empowerment, and rural development, setting the tone for an evening dedicated to inspiring stories and meaningful conversations.
Empowering Acid Attack Survivors: A Step Towards Dignity
One of the most powerful moments of the evening was the segment led by Ms. Sahira Singh, focusing on support for acid attack survivors. These courageous women, despite facing immense physical, emotional, and social hardships, continue to rebuild their lives. As a mark of unwavering support, Kisan Trust extended financial assistance, with Dr. Mallika Nadda personally presenting the cheques—a gesture that reaffirmed the Trust’s dedication to helping these survivors regain their dignity, confidence, and independence.
In her keynote address, Dr. Mallika Nadda emphasized that women’s empowerment is the key to a progressive society. She spoke about equal opportunities, financial inclusion, and policy-driven change, underscoring the importance of creating an environment where women can truly thrive.
“It fills me with joy to see such a diverse gathering from both rural and urban areas, reflecting the true spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Women must recognize their role in families, society, and the nation as a whole. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister has always championed the cause of women-led development, and today, we reaffirm that commitment. When women support and uplift each other, they create ripples of change. Their resilience knows no bounds, and their achievements inspire generations.”
During her address, Smt. Charu Singh, Trustee of Kisan Trust, shared a powerful message, emphasizing the importance of inclusive conversations and shared experiences among women from all backgrounds:
“Panel discussions and conversations like these are often limited to big cities and conducted only in English. But the truth is, whether women live in cities or villages, whether they are professionals or homemakers—there are many commonalities in our lives. Our needs, our concerns, and our struggles ultimately align. That is why it is important for us to come together, share our thoughts and experiences, improve our present, and move forward towards a stronger future.”
She further expressed hope that the discussions at Aparajita Samman Samaroh would leave a lasting impact and said “I hope that the conversations on this platform feel meaningful and useful to you. Perhaps, after listening to them, you may feel that something important has changed in your life. More importantly, I hope that this inspires you to become more effective role models, a source of inspiration for the coming generations.”
In-Depth Panel Discussions: Women’s Health, Digital Inclusion & Economic Empowerment
The event featured two engaging panel discussions, shedding light on some of the most pressing issues affecting women:
1. Women’s Health and Well-being
The first panel explored critical aspects of women’s health, covering topics like menstrual and hormonal health, reproductive well-being, and overall fitness. Experts discussed the impact of diet on women’s health and the need for more awareness and accessible healthcare. The discussion also highlighted how policy changes and grassroots efforts can help ensure that women’s health is not overlooked. The panel discussions brought together esteemed experts to share insights on crucial issues affecting women and featured Deepika Anand, Operations Officer at the World Bank Dr. Shehla Jamal, Senior gynecologist at Sarvodaya Hospital, Founder & President of the Society of Menstrual Disorders, Ishi Khosla, Clinical nutritionist, author, and founder of Whole Foods & The Celiac Society of India, and Shaifalika Panda, Trustee & CEO of the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation, spearheading Project Unnati.
2. Digitalization and Women’s Economic Empowerment
The second panel focused on how technology can be a game-changer for women’s financial independence. Discussions revolved around financial and digital literacy, enabling women—especially in rural areas—to use digital tools for entrepreneurship and financial stability. Experts also spoke about bridging the digital divide, responsible digital usage, and the role of artificial intelligence in creating new opportunities for women. The discussion saw panelists like Archna Vyas, Director, Program Advocacy & Communications at the Gates Foundation, Dr. Umang Mathur, CEO of Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, founder of its Eye Bank, and leader of the Aadya Initiative, and Sanya Seth, Country Program Manager at UN Women.
Following both discussions, an interactive Q&A session allowed attendees to engage directly with the experts, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas.
As the evening ended, Mrs. Veena Nabar delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, appreciating the collective efforts that made the event possible. The event concluded with the singing of the national anthem, a symbol of unity and commitment to advancing women’s empowerment in India.
The gathering was a reflection of inclusivity, bringing together doctors, lawyers, teachers, homemakers, as well as leaders from the National Lok Dal’s Women’s Wing (Nari Shakti Sangathan). Some notable names include Mrs Poonam Sharma , President of FICCI FLO, Ms Sara Abdullah , Mrs Anukant Dubey. Geographical locations were also well represented with attendees from Delhi, Meerut, Baghpat, Mathura, Ghaziabad and Muzaffarnagar.