New Delhi, July 8 (HS): Rashtriya Sevika Samiti, Delhi Prant, on Wednesday organised a Sankalp Diwas programme to commemorate the birth anniversary of its founder and first chief, Vandaniya Lakshmibai Kelkar (Mausiji), while celebrating the organisation's 90-year journey of service, dedication and nation-building.

The programme, organised by the Samiti's intellectual forum, Medhavini Sindhu Srijan, was held at Sir Shankar Lal Concert Hall on University Road. Participants paid tribute to Mausiji's ideals of national service, women's awakening and social commitment, and reaffirmed their resolve to work for society and the nation.

Rashtriya Sevika Samiti Akhil Bharatiya Sah-Karyavahika Alka Inamdar delivered the keynote address, while Medhavini Prant Sanyojika Prof. Nisha Rana introduced the theme of the programme.

National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar attended as the chief guest, while New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj presided over the function. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Team member Mukul Kanitkar and Delhi University Teachers' Association President Prof. V.S. Negi were among the distinguished guests. Prof. Charu Kalra and Anju Ahuja also addressed the gathering.

Nine women from diverse fields were felicitated for their outstanding contributions to society and public service.

Addressing the gathering, Vijaya Rahatkar said that when women take a pledge for nation-building, society and the country move forward together. She said the strength of India would be measured not only by its economy but also by the empowerment of its women. Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, she described it as a collective national resolve and said Indian women were excelling globally in fields such as science, space, technology and medicine.

Mukul Kanitkar said Indian women were providing leadership across the world and expressed confidence that the coming century would belong to women's leadership. He said embracing modernity did not require abandoning India's ancient traditions and emphasised that true reverence for great personalities lay in following their ideals.

Presiding over the programme, Bansuri Swaraj said a society rooted in its civilisational identity cannot be shaken. She observed that India need not borrow concepts of feminism or equality from the West, as its cultural ethos has always respected women. She said women, through motherhood, creativity and leadership, would continue to shape the nation's future.

In her keynote address, Alka Inamdar said Rashtriya Sevika Samiti had grown into the world's largest women's organisation with nearly 5,000 branches across the country. She described Hindutva as both India's cultural identity and national identity, and said the Samiti had been working for nine decades to promote service, character-building and women's leadership inspired by Indian values.

The programme concluded with sevikas, academicians, social workers and citizens collectively resolving to carry forward the ideals of Vandaniya Lakshmibai Kelkar and strengthen the enduring tradition of service, values and dedication towards nation-building.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar