NEW YORK CITY (TIP): A grand program for Woman’s Empowerment was planned by the FIA at Indian Consulate, New York on March 8. Five prominent women addressed more than 100 guests. Women from social, economic, industrial, music and educational fields as well as some successful women who created their own place in communities graced the occasion.

The program started with lighting of the lamp by  FIA Chairman Ramesh Patel,  President Srujal Parikh, TV anchor Nisha Mathur, writer Mayra Godfrey, social worker Ishita Chakrabarti, musician and successful Industrialist Chandrika Tandon, celebrated professor Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, violinist Daisy Joplin, and Consul General  Sandeep Chakraborty and his wife Dr. Taruna Chakraborty.

Miss India USA, women pilots and co-pilots from Air India were also invited specifically to attend this program. Women who created their unique  place in different fields were honored by Ambassador  Sandeep Chakraborty.

The program organizer and president of FIA Srujal Parikh, addressing  the gathering  said, “I am surrounded by women with  strong talent every day- my mother, my wife, my daughter, and my friends.” He thanked the women brigade of FIA in particular for making it possible for FIA to organize the Woman’s Day celebrations.

Consul General Sandeep Chakraborty introduced the panel and talked about impressive percentage of women employees at the consulate. He also mentioned about Air India employing one eighth of woman pilots as compared to one in twenty in the industry. 8 woman pilots of Air India were also present at the event. Ambassador Chakraborty said:  “I want to congratulate every woman on this special day, who has made her own special place with her hard work and courage.”

Speaking on the occasion, Nisha Mathur, a TV producer said, “Whether you are a man or woman, we all have the ability to share and inspire”

Myra Godfrey shared her struggle on various fronts. She found a way to heal herself through understanding herself in totality. Her spiritual understanding of life helped her regain her strength and positive perception of life. She said, negative thinking affects digestion; our mental health demands taking care of emotions.

Ishita Chakrabarti opined that political empowerment is necessary. Only about a quarter of the positions belong to women. Women of Indian origin have not been represented, and upholding right values requires that we assimilate with main stream.

“If we women put our minds together we can make a difference. We should initiate change towards global empowerment of women.”

Daisy Jopling said, “When a woman lights up, she lights up the whole world”.

She played violin, energetic and full of joy. She uplifted the packed hall by her music with complete absorption.

Chandrika Tandon, a philanthropist, said: “We have 41 percent of women in the engineering class of NYU Tandon school of engineering “

She talked about the usual way that prevents people from realizing their dreams. She talked about how she overcame her fears. She said, we need to break free from low self- esteem.

Her single message was “I am perfection, you are perfection, we all are perfection.” “I salute feminine energy in the form of love, in the firm of peace”, she added.

Padma Bhushan Prof Gayatri Chakravorty said: “I am a hand in activist with very poor woman. I am 76-year-old, happy old lady but I try to bring top and bottom together. I tell my students that in order to save the work, we have to work. Gender equality need not be confused with sameness.  “Ya Devi Sarvi bhuteshu…” “Feminism forever is my title, not because of race and class but this work has to be approached with newness by every generation.  I work all over the world, feminism is education strategy against prism of truth. We must learn that we don’t represent all women. She talked about tape culture and bribe culture. She drew attention towards people who are still facing discrimination based on gender.

She said, Enforcement and punishments alone don’t lead to just society; feminist education should be forever. It is an important part for creating social justice. Our world is full of hope. She remembered her mother and her social work.it is in her memory that I shall remain fearless and mention unpleasant facts.”

Those recognized on the occasion included Shashi Vishnu of Manavi and Dr Raman Kaul of AWAKE.

Miss Uma Narayan of Sneha could not come from Connecticut to receive her award.

(With inputs from Ashok Vyas and FIA)