Prominent Businesswomen on Women’s Empowerment
Inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj
On 29 December 2022, as part of the daily women’s empowerment programme at Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar, Mrs. Savitri Patel, Managing Trustee of Manav Kalyan Trust and Former Chairperson of the Businesswomen Wing of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry applauded Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s vision on women empowerment. She said, “Three things are paramount for an empowered society – wealth, protection and education, which are represented by Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Durga and Goddess Saraswati. Thus, we can understand that God has given the Goddesses the responsibility to help shape the world. Similarly, Pramukh Swami Maharaj laid the foundation stone for women’s empowerment in today’s society by starting educational institutes for girls, initiating various activities for girls and women such as Garbh Sanskar (value-based teachings for an unborn child during pregnancy), guidance on managing careers and family and inculcating key values and various skillsets.”
Observing how the women empowered by Pramukh Swami Maharaj helped empower countless other women, she said, “A group of young women recounting their immigration stories to America told me how they felt overwhelmed by their relocation until they met a young female BAPS volunteer who invited them to the local BAPS temple where they could meet like-minded people and enjoy home-cooked meals. While they initially went for the food and camaraderie, over time the inspiration they gained from Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life and works provided them a spiritual anchor that empowered them to offer their services at the BAPS temple to help other women in society.”
She concluded by saying, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj has over the years made exemplary efforts to impart skills and inculcate good values into the lives of girls from a very young age. The strength that these values and skills have brought into their lives can be clearly witnessed from the work that female volunteers have done in Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar. Ultimately these girls and young women are going to shape our society and the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary Celebration is providing them a wonderful platform to showcase and upgrade their skills.”
Mrs. Nayna M. Patel, Director of Mamata Airwings, Ahmedabad and Former Chairperson of the Businesswomen Wing of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, paid tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj saying, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj worked tirelessly to empower women not only in India but around the world. This was one of his most important contributions to society, since one strong woman is capable of inspiring all of society around her. I am a prime example of this, as the self-reliance and skills I have been encouraged by elders to cultivate have prepared me for anything that has been thrown at me over the years. As a result, I am today independently running a travel agency and serving society in whatever way I can.”