Shakti Vandan showcases stories of women’s strength

Jaipur: Marking International Women's Day and the birth anniversary of Panna Dhai, a two-day Shakti Vandan – Bharat Ke Swa Ka Abhinandan festival began Sunday at Jawahar Kala Kendra. The event was organised by former Jaipur mayor Somya Gurjar to promote confidence, leadership and self-reliance among women.As part of the program, over 500 women and girls are being given self-defence training, while more than 1,000 girls aged 9 to 14 will receive HPV vaccination Monday.Deputy CM Prem Chand Bairwa inaugurated the event and unveiled a 10-foot statue of Panna Dhai. RSS Rajasthan regional pracharak Nimbaraam was also present.Addressing the gathering, Nimbaraam said India would emerge as a global leader on the strength of its women. He said that increasing representation of women in governance, including the proposed 33% reservation, would further strengthen empowerment.Bairwa said the state govt was committed to ensuring a secure and dignified future for women. Referring to historical figures like Rani Lakshmibai and Panna Dhai, he said women had always shown courage in the face of injustice.A key session, Gen Z ka Viksit Bharat, featured women sharing their journeys. Kajal Valmiki, a former sanitation worker in JMC's Jagatpura zone, spoke about how her passion for singing helped her reach a national platform and start her own YouTube channel.Maithili Thakur spoke about pursuing dreams without fear. "Many young people hesitate to take the first step because they fear failure. But it is better to begin and learn from mistakes than to never try," she said, adding that digital platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and YouTube offer powerful opportunities for young talent to showcase their abilities.Actor Raveena Tandon, speaking in the Meri Kahani, Meri Zubani session, stressed the need to instil the right values in boys to bring about positive social change. Gurjar said the festival aims to celebrate women's achievements and inspire them to pursue their aspirations. Experts also discussed how artificial intelligence could create new opportunities for women in entrepreneurship and start-ups.