Women Power Is The Greatest Power

The theme for International Women’s Day, 8 March 2023 (IWD 2023) is, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. This theme is aligned with the priority theme for the upcoming 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-67), “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”. The United Nations Observance of IWD recognizes and celebrates the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education.

Renuka Suryavanshi spoke to a few women achievers  on the occasion.

Prajakta Pethkar,
Chairwoman, Prajakta Pethkar Education Trust India

Little girls with dreams become women with vision.” and I strongly believe a woman with vision is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at her.” So dream big, believe in yourself, carry principles and you are sorted. Little girls with dreams become women with vision.” and I strongly believe a woman with vision is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at her.” So dream big, believe in yourself, carry principles and you are sorted.

Aparna Javir, Chairman, Kubera Colony

We all know that this world would mean nothing without a woman or a girl. Women are much stronger than anyone can imagine. Let’s celebrate their endless power today. A charming woman doesn’t follow the crowd. She is herself! Today is yours and so is every other day!  HAPPY WOMENS DAY

Dr. Vaibhavee Mandlik, MBBS & MD Pathology, Amar Ashiyana

I completed my medical graduation from BJ Medical College. Admission year 1986. I have my own pathology laboratory at Fatima nagar. I have been working in the field of pathology services for the last 30 years. I would like to tell all women here about work-life balance. After passing the MD examination it was a multitasking phase of my life. I started my career in pathology, also family responsibilities, with two children, a completely workaholic husband with new job commitments. It is very important to be focused, silent, soft, sober and hardworking, bold, efficient at the same time. These are the key words to handle this situation successfully. It is also important to take good care of yourself, physical and mental health. A healthy strong person only can take good care of everyone in the family as well as staff at the office.Try to grow up as a very big strong tree which gives shelter to many others.

Radhika Poduval, Silver Valley society Wanowrie

Life starts with you. We need to reshape our perception of how we view ourselves. Be wise if you can, be beautiful if you wish to, be respected, but above all be healthy ! Wishing a very Happy Women’s day 2023 to Strong, Intelligent, Talented & Wonderful women of this world.

Deepa Cheema, Co-founder, Nyati County Residents Forum

I was financially self reliant from a very early age which helped me face the various challenges that life threw in my way. From being a single parent (to a wonderful son) – to a successful entrepreneur – to active social work as a volunteer, all these experiences, with wide exposure to various difficult situations has made me a stronger human. Honestly speaking it was not easy to manage every aspect of my life single handedly, but when faced with adversities remember the Durga / Kaali form that emerges from within. The same happened with me and will happen with you. Even today women entrepreneurs are considered a bit inferior or comparatively incapable, I have encountered this several times in my life. But that didn’t deter me, no one can stop you from your success, except you.

Nelma Penheiro, Dorabjee Paradise

I wish each and every woman Cheer. Being a woman is the best gift of life. At any age we women are able to express ourselves in the role given to us, be it a daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, teacher…. A woman acknowledges and encourages her family, friends and well-wishers towards a better life. Encouraging women to maintain a healthy lifestyle and focus on positivity. Urging Women On This International Women’s Day. “Celebrate you”.

Dr Pooja Doshi, Green Valley

Since 1850’s struggle of Savitribai things have progressed a lot as we see women’s participation in almost every field. But when we see the same aspect from statistics and rural perspective, things look way behind. I see Savitribai in the heart of every rural women, still standing at the same place as was in 1850. Fighting with alcoholic husbands, orthodox in-law’s trying to educate kids and struggling to meet daily family needs in all odd situations. I feel every day should be women’s day, reminding our responsibility to support socio economically weak women, family hence, society and the Nation.

Advocate Manisha M. Kasture, Real Estate Consultant

Someone has rightly said that “A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey where she will become strong.” And I am so fortunate to prove this by stepping out from a conservative joint family to build successful career in legal profession by myself and so also a proud mother of Daughter who is now a Doctor by profession. As a woman lawyer I wish to make significant difference in women’s life with the help of some Important Acts like Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION and REDRESSAL) Act, 2013- POSH ; Protection of Women from Domestic violence Act, 2005; the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961; etc.

Binita Sen, President, Soroptimist International, Pune Metro East

There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish. Women don’t need to find a voice, they have a voice, and they need to feel empowered to use it, and people need to be encouraged to listen. This International Women’s Day, 8 March 2023, join UN Women and the United Nations in celebrating under the theme DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality We at SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL PUNE METRO EAST believe in an inclusive role for women empowerment and run projects on the same.

Mrunal Jadhav & Nividita Kelapure spoke to a few women achievers from Pimple Saudagar on the occasion.

Priyanka Rajesh Agrahari, Principal of SNBP School and Jr.College Rahatani

”Wishing all the women (the super humans created by the all mighty) and all the men who supported and have an integral part of the growth and excel of women a very happy Women’s Day. We, the women, contribute towards half of the world population and have registered our presence in every field of work.
I belong to the field of education which is meant to mould a child’s life, also it is the most challenging profession in today’s times, and I strongly feel that owing to the multitasking capabilities and empathetic nature of a woman they can take up this challenge quite well especially for younger children. I strongly believe a woman is successful in her career because of the support and encouragement of her father and husband, and I owe my growth to my husband Rajesh Agrahari and my father Anand Kishore Gupta.”

Anindita Chaudhuri

“I am a woman with multiple roles. I was into advertising and PR and life was going very well. At that time I decided to take a break from the rat race and wanted to do something meaningful in life, something towards the environment. So I started a company called Ecoserve. Through this I am able to provide employment to many women and we make handmade products using biodegradable material. We identified local artists with their talent and tried to give them a good life. As a message to women on this special day, every woman should identify her strength, never give up. Every woman has a talent, she should live for little, be financially independent, which will make a person confident and have satisfaction.”

Geeta Rao, Faculty, Founder & Director – Shree Tutorials

“The passion I have for teaching science and chemistry is unparalleled. With over 20 years of experience and having guided more than 10,000 students, many of my students have pursued higher education at prestigious institutions worldwide, while others have been serving in esteemed organisations. I have a robust academic background and experience of teaching at the NDA, Khadakwasla, Pune which makes me empower students to reach their full potential. I am a Faculty, Founder and Director of the coaching Institute – Shree Tutorials (estd. in 2004) and have been teaching SCIENCE to 9th &10th standards and CHEMISTRY to 11th & 12th standards and to Engineering and Medical aspirants (JEE, NEET, SAT, etc). I’ve been a mentor to many students till date and it gives me a sense of satisfaction, to be the person who leads them and gives them a purpose in life and gets them one step closer to achieving their goals. I completed my schooling from St Joseph’ s Convent and then BSc, MSc and M Phil in Chemistry from Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, MP and was always a meritorious student. Post that when I shifted to Pune, I started working at the National Defence Academy. I want to use my passion and rich experience of teaching to keep helping students in life for them to reach their highest potentials.At the end of the day, science is a vivid and a tough subject, but making students inclined towards science is my main goal and so far I have succeeded in it .This make me contented in life and I feel truly blessed.

Karishma Rahul Chukka

“I have been a Zumba instructor for the last five years. As a profession I have faced many challenges but I never see them and always try to overcome them. The worst hit was during Covid as there were many ups and downs but I stood strong. I enjoy teaching and I continue it. As a woman I would say that you are the best and follow your heart, be a fearless woman and always have confidence. Never pull back yourself.”

Sahana Banerjee

“I have been playing sitar since I was 4 year old. I play sitar at concerts and have visited various places in the world for concerts. Playing musical instruments is not based on gender but it is a block of mind. To be successful there is no shortcut. I love calling myself a sitarist and an artist over a female sitarist. Every woman faces problems from society as it keeps questioning how you will manage, who will look after your family but this is similar to a woman working in a 9-5 job. It’s been 42 years since I am playing sitar.”

Suvidha Kadlag, Mountaineer / Plogger

I am Maharashtra’s first female to summit Mt Nun 7135 mtrs. I am a technical climber, an ultra marathon runner. My next summit is to climb Mt Everest which will be flagged off on March 21. ‘In life there are no limits to what one can achieve, regardless of age, marital status & gender. Please take every new day as a new page.”

Arva Kapasi, Pathway Foundation (founder / director)

“As women we need to realize our strengths and stand for our dignity.” “A strong woman accepts the challenges thrown at her and Is proud to shine bright like the Diamond through the journey”. Through my NGO Pathways Foundation,I am making efforts to help other women get opportunity to find her own strengths and Talents so that she can stand tall with Dignity,we teach the women skills required for them to become self sufficient and resilient to lead a dignified life and support herself and her family which in turn improves her confidence and self-esteem.

Manisha Sheth, Founder of e-Coexist

“Women have tremendous potential to lead when they recognize their own inner strength and talent. Indian women especially are devis in the true sense of the word because they grow up learning to integrate multiple roles and are binders of the social fabric. May every girl child blossom into a Devi so that our country is led by this divine feminine power.”

Mrunmayi Mangeshkar, Fashion Designer, Pimple Saudagar

Be the one whose actions speak louder than words. If you are able to stand up for yourself, you will be able to stand up for others.” I feel as the world continues to strive for gender equality, it’s essential to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of women. I feel I have broken the stereotype and paved the way for the next generation of female designers. I have worked with prominent national and international design schools such as MMSID, INSD, INIFD, and Rachana Sansad.

Shaileja Deshpande, Jeevitnadi Team. ( Member, Jeevitnadi) 

A woman who can authoritatively take sensible, sustainable decisions to improve our fast deteriorating environment. We need a woman in a superior position who can make a change. A change to stop farmers’suicides, a change to reduce environmental impacts by ” so called Development & its ill effects”, a change to make people happy and peaceful. Women have that capacity & power. I wish all the women, ” Happy Women’s day who are proud to be a woman.