Nita Ambani, Smriti Irani, Zia Mody, and Neerja Birla Grace the High-Profile Event
By Anita Shukla, senior correspondent
MUMBAI, July 11: Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have significantly accelerated the social, economic, and political empowerment of women across the country, bringing revolutionary changes to the lives of rural and tribal women. These groups are fostering leadership qualities among women at the grassroots level. To amplify this impact, it is essential to extend these efforts to the last mile of society. These remarks were made by Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma during the grand launch of Fortune India’s ‘100 Most Powerful Women’ awards, held in Mumbai on July 10.
The prestigious event, also graced by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, commenced with the Governor officially unveiling the latest edition of Fortune India magazine. Addressing a gathering of women leaders from diverse sectors, the Governor highlighted how SHGs have empowered women to transform their own lives and become catalysts of change for others.
Sharing an inspiring anecdote from Tripura, the Governor spoke of a rural woman who was initially too intimidated to enter a bank but later went on to confidently present a PowerPoint presentation before top banking officials, leaving everyone astonished. Today, that same woman serves as a ‘Bank Sakhi’, guiding and supporting numerous other women. He further pointed out that Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) among women-led initiatives are remarkably under 1%, proving that capital entrusted to women remains exceptionally secure. The Governor emphasized that with women constituting 50% of the nation’s population, the vision of a ‘Developed India’ (Viksit Bharat) cannot be realized by neglecting their progress. True empowerment must reach the most marginalized women in society.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel stated that women today are capably managing monumental responsibilities, spanning from grassroots governance to corporate boardrooms. Rather than being mere participants in the development process, women are leading the charge of transformation.
Minister Patel briefed the audience on the Union Government’s robust initiatives aimed at women’s empowerment. She noted that India’s persistent efforts to improve maternal health and reduce the maternal mortality rate have garnered global recognition. She shed light on key government interventions, including the landmark ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ (Women’s Reservation Bill) and the ‘Poshan Abhiyaan’ (National Nutrition Mission). Furthermore, she highlighted the government’s rollout of the HPV vaccine to protect women against cervical cancer, alongside other welfare schemes such as ‘Ayushman Bharat’, ‘Jan Aushadhi Kendras’, ‘Lakhpati Didis’, and the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ initiative.
The inaugural session commenced with a welcome address by Shashwat Goenka, Vice Chairman of the RP Sanjiv Goenka Group, followed by a formal vote of thanks delivered by Sourav Majumdar, Editor-in-Chief of Fortune India. The launch event witnessed the attendance of Ashishkumar Chauhan, CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Nita Ambani, Chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, Smriti Irani, former Union Minister, Zia Mody, Co-founder of top corporate law firm AZB & Partners, and Neerja Birla, alongside a galaxy of India’s most influential women leaders from the fields of industry, business, and banking.
