Strong women will make strong nation: Sonal Mansingh at Sevika Samiti event

Nagpur: Classical dancer Sonal Mansingh, who has been awarded the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, recalled her five years of military training at Bhonsla Military School in Nashik, where she had also learnt to use firearms. The 80-year-old mentioned that, even at her age, if she punched someone they would fall down. She asked all the participants at the Vijaya Dashmi function of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti (RSS) to develop confidence and strength in themselves so that they become strong. She emphasised that once every woman in the country becomes strong, the country would become strong as well.Mansingh was the chief guest at the Vijay Dashmi and Shastra Pooja festival organised by Rashtra Sevika Samiti at Smruti Mandir, Reshimbagh in Nagpur on Friday. Earlier, Mansingh was welcomed by chief of Rashtra Sevika Samiti (RSS' women's wing) Shantakka with a shawl and a memento.Shantakka, during her address, said that currently the country is witnessing a lot of violence against women. She mentioned a recent incident in Kolkata, where a woman doctor was raped and brutally murdered. She added that getting justice for her was a difficult task, even though the state had a woman chief minister. She also referred to the recent Ajmer judgement, in which a verdict was delivered after 30 years. These are very concerning issues, especially considering we are in the 75th year of our legal system, she said. Shantakka said that they would be taking up this issue through their organisation at appropriate forums to change the legal system.The RSS volunteers presented various drills, including yoga, fighting skills demonstrations, and band performances.