The second day of ‘Nari Sansad’ Shakti Mahakumbh organized in Parmarth Niketan was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Hon’ble Governor of Kerala, Shri Arif Mohammad Khan Saheb, President of Parmarth Niketan Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati ji and all the distinguished guests by lighting the lamp.
In the morning session of ‘Nari Sansad’ detailed discussion was held in Vedic culture, Sanatan culture, traditions, scriptures, Puranas and Devi Purana about women’s glory, duties, rights.
Honorable Governor of Kerala, Dr Arif Mohammad Khan Saheb while thanking the organisers for conducting the Nari Sansad said that we become indifferent to the things which we get easily. We have got our maternal power in the form of mother, sister, wife and daughter, so we underestimate their importance. We forget the work done by them.
He added, “Mahatma Gandhiji said that God is Truth and then he finally concluded that Truth is God. Similarly we say Shakti is Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga but today we must see Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga in our Shakti. The problem affecting women are not only women’s problems. Their problems, hurdles and struggles are ours. It is critical for men to understand this involves and affects them, our society and our nation”
Explaining the importance of education, he said that if girls are educated like boys, then they too can do everything. Whatever difference there is between boys and girls is due to education. He added that we have to give equal education to daughters and sons in our homes as well.
He said that women have a big hand in the oppression of women. Our attitude should be the same with daughter and daughter-in-law.
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati ji said that women need respect not conforming to a set ideal. He added, “Women need a safe environment to stand on their feet.”
Dr. Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati ji led three pledges today, “If we truly want to work for the cause of women empowerment, let us take three pledges today from this pandal first that we will not promote or buy fairness creams. We will accept our women and girls in their beauty as they are. Second we will work to break the taboos around menstruation and as women not speak about our periods as though it is dirty happening rather be proud that this is part of our ability to bring forth creation through our bodies. Third we will ensure that we understand equal does not mean the same. Women are equal to men, meaning they should have equal rights and equal opportunities, equal access to education and resources but they are not same to men. We must appreciate their unique strengths and contributions.”
Environmentalist Dr. Vandana Shiva ji said, “India’s culture is a culture of unity in diversity and that culture is clearly visible in Parmarth Niketan. Not every culture called rivers as mother, but India has given rivers the status of mother. Our culture has understood that water of rivers is not just water but it has divine energy. Working in harmony with nature is innate to women especially in our villages. We must learn from this wisdom and from these women to protect the Divine Mother.”
She informed that a seeds conservation campaign is being started at 1050 places and work is being done to save the extinct seeds from these centers. Gave information about organic farming, neem plants and organic pesticides.Referring to the Chipko movement, she said that the women agitating at that time said that there is power in nature; The power which is in the universe is there in all of us.
Mayor Rishikesh Smt. Anita Mamgai said that our Ganga Maa and Bharat Mata are the symbol of Shakti. Thanking Pujya Swamiji for organizing Nari Sansad, he said that since years, Parmarth Niketan is doing amazing work for the education and health of women and children by visiting Rishikesh and nearby slum areas, which is exemplary and that such an idea to host a Women’s Parliament could only be something that Pujya Swamiji could conceive and inspire.
Pujya Swamiji felicitated the Honorable Governor of Kerala Dr Arif Mohammad Khan Saheb by presenting a divine plant of Rudraksha, angavastra, literature and Nataraj memento.
They conferred certificates to other the distinguished Vice Chancellors, guests and participants who participated in the Women’s Parliament. This program was organized under the joint aegis of Parmarth Niketan, Divine Shakti Foundation, in association of Mata Lalita Devi Trust.
