“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” – Anne Sweeney
Uttaranchal University celebrated ‘Himalayi Nari Shakti Samaan 2021’ on the auspicious occasion of “International Women’s Day” on 8th March 2021, under the aegis of Women Cell of Uttaranchal University and Sexual Harassment Redressal Cell, powered by the collective efforts of the Women Cells of all the sister concerns namely LCD, UIT, UIM, SALS, UIPS, SOA and SLA. The occasion was adorned with the presence of Hon’ble Chairperson of State Women Commission Smt. Vijaya Barthwal as the Chief Guest of the event while Chief Development Officer of Dehradun Janpad Ms. Nitika Khandelwal was the Guest of Honour amidst the presence of Hon’ble Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of the University Shri.
Jitender Joshi and Prof. (Dr.) Devendra Pathak respectively as the distinguished guests on the occasion. The event commenced with the felicitation of the guests followed by the lighting of the auspicious lamp by the dignitaries.
Uttaranchal University in itself is a symbol of the concept ‘Gender Parity’ as it honours and recognizes the strength and unique abilities of its women employees and girl students to the fullest. Every year ‘International Women’s Day’ is celebrated with great grandeur as a mark of recognition of social, economic and cultural achievements of women. This year 32 women engaged in multiple spheres as civil services, regional services, medical services, nursing services, educationalists, social services, entrepreneurs and the like were awarded with ‘Himalayi Nari Shakti Samaan 2021’ in the jampacked Seminar Hall of Law College Dehradun.
Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Bahuguna, is his address, stated that Himalayi Women are famous for their diligence, endurance and capacity for socio-political movements throughout the country. “Movements like Chipko and Uttarakhand State Movements are the symbols of revolutionary spirit of Himalayan Women”. He also took pride in the fact that Law College Dehradun has produced several judges who are serving the nation and proudly acclaimed that out of them nearly 80% of them were female.
This was followed by a thought kindling speech delivered by the young & vibrant Chief Development Officer Ms. Nitika Khandelwal who maintained that women empowerment actually meant freedom of choice of work like male counterparts in different functional spheres and the same would, according to her, be construed as the true equality. She also added that, “A woman who is happy in doing whatever she does is said to be empowered and it is also everyone’s responsibility to facilitate other women to exhibit their skill sets.
This was followed by the distribution of awards to the following recipients:
| S. No. | Recipients Name | S. No. | Recipients Name | S. No. | Recipients Name |
| 1 | Mrs. Nitika Khandelwal, IAS, Chief Development Officer Dehradun | 12 | Mrs. Shilpa Bhatt Bahuguna,
Owner, PIZZA ITALIA |
23 | Dr. Vineeta Mittal, Acupressure Specialist |
| 2 | Mrs. Kamini Gupta, Member Secretary, State Commission for Women | 13 | Mrs. Rajendra Kaur Sondhi,
Vice-Chairperson, Garhi Cantt Cantonment Board, Dehradun |
24 | Ms. Sweta Rai Talwar, Social Activist
|
| 3 | Mrs. Manisha Saini, Deputy Commissioner, State Tax | 14 | Ms. Divya Agrawal, Director, Wood Shop | 25 | Ms. Isha Batra, Psychologist |
| 4 | Dr. Ruchika Garg,
Senior Gynecologist |
15 | Ms. Urmila Pandita, Director, SAAR Advertising | 26 | Dr. Kamna Garg, Director, OM Color Creation
|
| 5 | Mrs. Shivani Kaushik Gupta,
President, Sarv Mahila Shakti |
16 | Ms. Kalpana Agrawal, Director, Kalpana Q-Creations | 27 | Ms. Anju Singhal, President, Gayatri Sahyog Samiti Mahila Sanstha |
| 6 | Mrs. Silky Jain Marwah, Executive Director, TULA’S Institute | 17 | Ms. Deepika Kukreti Verma,
Director, DITYA Enterprises |
28 | Ms. Ruchi Singh, Psychologist |
| 7 | Mrs. Gaganjot Kaur Maan,
Managing Director, Doon International School |
18 | Ms. Gigi Pathak, Director, GiGi Welness | 29 | Ms. Priya Gulati, Director, Baggit Consulting Group |
| 8 | Ms. Anuradha Pant, Transport Tax Officer | 19 | Ms. Manju Harnal, Owner, Grace Sringar Center & Boutique | 30 | Dr. Sonal Sharma, HoD, Computer Science, Uttaranchal University |
| 9 | Ms. Pragya Pant, Transport Tax Officer | 20 | Ms. Sweety Gosain, Kathak Dancer | 31 | Prof. Poonam Rawat, Head, Law College Dehradun, Uttaranchal University |
| 10 | Ms. Nalini Gosain, Journalist & PR Expert | 21 | Ms. Sunita Rawat, Senior, Nursing Officer, Coronation Officer | 32 | Ms. Vinni Gupta, Chartered Accountant, Partner, Vinni Gupta & Company |
| 11 | Ms. Divya Soni, Director, G.S. India Defence Academy | 22 | Dr. Anubha Pundir, Social Activist |
The Chief Guest of the occasion Smt. Vijaya, Hon’ble Chairperson of State Women Commission distinguished the empowered and weak women not as a literate or illiterate women respectively but a women capable of taking decisions or lacking in the same. Speaking on foeticide, she observed “When an effective law was formulated on foeticide, it was resolved that we will build a society where women will have equal powers in the decision making process compatible with their male counter-parts.” When differentiation stops at home, it will be then that we can look forward to a society that embraces equality. She also appreciated the role of Smt. Swati Bhadauria the District Magistrate during the Chamoli Disaster. The guest expressed that such award ceremonies will motivate women to go a long way in doing more deeds of self-empowerment leading to gender equality consequently.
Mr. Kunwar Raj Asthana, Editor-in-chief of ‘Divya Himgiri’, Uttarakhand’s first weekly news magazine, shared his words of wisdom and this was followed by an interesting speech by Dr. Gitika Khanna, Senior Pediatrician. She stressed on the importance of woman, as she is pivotal for a home, society and a nation. As females it is the solemn responsibility to take care of one’s health. Ms. Gaganjot Kaur, Managing Director of Doon International School, averred that women empowerment comprises of advocating for women’s rights and standing up for them. She discussed few laws in this regard and stressed the need for involvement of women in the field of law.
In continuance the book ‘Aanchal Banta Aasmaan’ composed by Shri Manoj Srivastava was released by the dignitaries in the mist of warm applause by the audience. This was followed by the Distribution of Prizes for the series of events organized in the university in observance of ‘International Women’s Day’.
Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. (Dr.) Devendra Pathak extended his heartiest Vote of Thanks to all the guests present on the occasion. He put forward his views on issues like foeticide, diminishing female vs. male ratio and women empowerment. He offered many examples while stating the condition of women during the ancient and contemporary periods.
Hon’ble Chancellor of the University Shri. Jitender Joshi, in his address to the gathering, stated that right from the germination of the university upto its steady development and sustained growth, women power has been constantly instrumental. He further maintained that his mother was the prime inspiration in the establishment of Sushila Devi Centre for Professional Studies and Research, the culmination of which is the Uttaranchal University.
The event turned to be a great success as more than 200 women from various spheres were the beneficiaries of the event. Those present on the occasion were Mrs. Vijaya Barthwal, Chairperson, Uttarakhand State Commission for Women, Mrs. Nitika Khandelwal, IAS, Chief Development Officer, Dehradun, Chancellor Mr. Jitender Joshi, Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Devendra Pathak, Mr. Kunwar Raj Asthana, Editor in Chief, Divya Himgiri, Dr. Rajesh Bahuguna, Dean – Law College Dehradun, Ms. Gaganjot Kaur Maan, Mr. Manoj Kumar Srivastava, Information & Public Relation Department, Ms. Kamini Gupta, Ms. Manisha Saini, Mrs. Rajendra Kaur Sondhi, Dr. Poonam Rawat, Dr. Shriya Goyal, Dr. Bharti Ramola, Mr. Sunil Aggarwal, Dr. Gitika Khanna and more than hundreds of Faculty Members and girl students of Uttaranchal University.
