Celebrating Women Empowerment day : Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Hundreds of women from BAPS centres around the world presented an inspirational programme titled “Women’s Day: Celebrating Women’s Empowerment” before an audience of tens of thousands at Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar on 5 January 2023. Through devotional songs, dramas, dances, videos and speeches by women dignitaries of various fields, they paid tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s immense efforts to foster the holistic empowerment and development of millions of girls and women worldwide. 

Through Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s inspiration, the monthly ‘Premvati’ women’s magazine has provided a global platform for women’s voices on social and spiritual development for more than 50 years. The innovative BAPS WILL (Women’s Ideals for Learning and Living) programme has been helping women of all ages through lectures, group discussions and seminars on childcare, management, healthcare, academics, finances, and many other issues. Moreover, the BAPS Women’s Wing has actively channelled women’s creative energies for dowry relief, de-addiction, environmental conservation, festivals, and a variety of social and cultural services. 

“Pramukh Swami Maharaj was humility personified. Though global leaders flocked to meet him, he would travel to the homes of labourers, tribals and the poorest in society. Pramukh Swami Maharaj teaches us to care for, listen to, and help everyone, whether they are employees or family members. I have been personally touched by Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s divine love. As we love our daughters, we should ensure all girls from 9 to 14 receive the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Moreover, I request the ladies to take the drama enacted here across all of India to educate women everywhere on these profound messages about education, values, and virtues. 

Honourable Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture of India Meenakshi Lekhi said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a guru who inspired devotion and social service. Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar provides us a reflection of what society should be like. “As I went around the Nagar, I was drawn to the messages of the films and exhibitions. Pramukh Swami Maharaj taught that devotion with hard work is the path to success, and he did this so well that, today, Indians all over the world are so successful. This message of prayer and hard work was beautifully presented in the ‘Sea of Suvarna’ show performed by hundreds of young girls.  Indians are hardworking people who also believe in the strength of spirituality, and hence their motivation to serve society. No matter what part of the world Indians travel to, they carry these values with them and become valuable members of their respective communities. This inspiration comes from organisations like BAPS who help individuals retain and reinforce these universal ancient Hindu values. Pramukh Swami Maharaj guided that, no matter what we do with our lives, we should contribute to our communities. We should do everything with the spirit of serving society. Pramukh Swami Maharaj did this himself without distinction. He could meet Prince (now King) Charles in a palace and also visit a young boy’s home in a village.”