Published on: October 15, 2025
Celebration of International Day of Rural Women
The Rural Development Institute (RDI) of Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) celebrated the International Day of Rural Women with great enthusiasm at the Aadi Kailash Auditorium, Jolly Grant. The event was organized to recognize the invaluable contribution of rural women to nation-building and to motivate university faculty, staff, and students to take active steps toward women’s empowerment, especially in rural and mountain regions of Uttarakhand.
The celebration began with the Lighting of the Lamp and Guru Vandana by students of the School of Yoga Sciences, symbolizing enlightenment and respect for knowledge. This was followed by a Welcome Address by Dr. Rajeev Bijalwan, Deputy Director, RDI, who also chaired the session. Dr. Bijalwan welcomed all dignitaries and participants, emphasizing that the day served as a reminder of the vision of H.H. Swami Rama — whose philosophy of “Love, Serve, Remember” continues to guide RDI’s commitment to holistic rural development. He further highlighted that empowering rural women is central to achieving Viksit Bharat, as women form the backbone of the rural economy through their role in agriculture, household management, and social change.
Delivering a thought-provoking talk on “Empowering Women – Achieving Gender Equality,” Dr. Preeti Kothiyal, Dean, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, SRHU, discussed the need to address the multifaceted challenges faced by women in remote communities. She emphasized that women in rural Uttarakhand play an instrumental role in sustaining families and communities by managing agricultural activities, livestock, and local enterprises, often under difficult circumstances. Dr. Kothiyal also highlighted the need for education, digital inclusion, and healthcare access to unlock the full potential of women’s leadership. Importantly, she stressed that achieving gender equality requires men to actively participate in changing mindsets and practices — recognizing and respecting women as equal partners in progress.
A Felicitation Ceremony followed, where women staff members of RDI, who have contributed over a decade of dedicated service in the areas of health, education, livelihood, disability inclusion, and women’s empowerment, were honored for their remarkable commitment. Their fieldwork, carried out in collaboration with government and community-based programs, has touched the lives of thousands of women across Uttarakhand. Ms. Usha Singh, Ms. Neelam Pandey, Ms. Maya Sharma, Ms. Leela Uniyal, Ms. Richa, Ms. Sunita, Ms. Meena, Ms. Shikha, Ms. Sandhya, Ms. Joyti, Ms. Nirmala Bijalwa, Ms. Pawandeep Kaur were awarded.
The event also recognized the creative and intellectual contributions of SRHU students through competitions on the theme “Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities for Rural Women.” Students who secured top positions in debate, poster presentation, and essay writing competitions were felicitated by the dignitaries. This initiative aimed to engage young minds in understanding the realities of rural women’s lives and to inspire them to become advocates of change.
In her Special Address, Ms. Sadhana Mishra, Director (Operations), SRHU, reiterated the university’s commitment to nurturing socially responsible graduates. She highlighted SRHU’s ongoing community-based programs that promote women’s health, livelihood generation, and education. She emphasized that universities have a moral responsibility to extend their academic knowledge beyond the classroom and contribute to the empowerment of rural women through participatory and inclusive development models.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Ms. Kiran Bhatt, Managing Director of Indo Ganga Holidays, Dehradun. Sharing her inspiring journey as a successful woman entrepreneur from Uttarakhand, she spoke about perseverance, innovation, and the courage required to challenge stereotypes. Ms. Bhatt applauded the efforts of RDI for creating platforms that strengthen women’s voices at the grassroots and called upon students to take leadership roles in empowering rural women. She emphasized that rural women’s empowerment is not merely a welfare activity but a national imperative for achieving sustainable development and gender-balanced growth.
The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks proposed by Mr. Nitesh Kaushik, Deputy Director, RDI, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to all dignitaries, guests, and participants for their presence and contributions. He reaffirmed that RDI, under the aegis of SRHU, will continue its mission to bridge rural-urban gaps and create opportunities for women’s advancement through education, research, and community action.
The event concluded with a group photograph and high tea, providing an opportunity for students, faculty, and guests to engage in informal discussions and networking.
The celebration served as a powerful reminder of SRHU’s enduring commitment to rural transformation, gender equality, and inclusive growth. It called upon the university community — faculty, staff, and students alike — to take inspiration from the women of Uttarakhand, whose strength, resilience, and leadership continue to shape a brighter, more equitable future for all.
