Shakthi 2023 – Nationalist Women’s Conclave, which was held on September 28, is a part of the national resolution to conduct such programmes in 413 centres throughout the country in connection with the centenary celebrations of RSS. Thrissur hosted the first programme in the state of Kerala. The basic themes were Women Power for Country’s Development & Social Reformation and Fight Against Drugs & Narcotics.
More than 1500 women from several parts of Thrissur revenue district participated in the programme. More than 60 per cent of the congregation belonged to Sangh-inspired organisations. Others belonged to the general public or sympathisers of Sangh movement.
Swamini Samheetanandaji, President of Chinmaya Mission, Thrissur, inaugurated the programme. Swamini Samheetanandaji said that thoughts and actions for the sake of the welfare of humanity give spiritual satisfaction. She called on the women to realize their own strength and to come forward, when it is necessary, for the benefits of the society.
MS Sampoorna presided the Mahila Samanwaya and state co-ordinator Advocate Anjanadevi delivered the keynote address.
After the inauguration, a discussion was carried out on the “issues women face and the solutions to them”. Mathrushakthi state vice president Kanakavalli Teacher presided. Dr Lakshmi Shankar presented the subject and delivered the opening speech. Advocate OM Shaleena presented the paper on the “role of women in the country’s growth”.
RSS Pranth Karyavah PN Eashwaran, Mahila Samanwaya Thrissur District Co-ordinator Smita Ravikumar, reception committee convener Kanakam Sudhakaran, BMS Thrissur District Joint Secretary Advocate Prasara Vasavan and Kreeda Bharati Thrissur District Vice President Reshma C.R. spoke on the occasion. All speakers stressed the need of active women’s participation in the nationalist endeavours.
The participants were not confined to Sangh-inspired organizations alone. Women belonging to Nair Service Society (NSS), Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP), Dheevara Sabha, Kerala Pulaya Mahasabha, Chinmaya Mission, Sree Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Amruthanandamayi Mission, ISCON, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Sree Sree Ravi Shankar movement also were very much there.
Mahila Sammelans are organised throughout the country in connection with the centenary celebrations of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The national target is to form a team of women, of nationalistic fervour, throughout the country. And, another idea behind the programme is to promote Bharatiya culture, significance of women power, women empowerment and role of women in the national reconstruction and the promotion of cultural nationalism.
Mahila Samanwaya intends to organise similar conclaves in all other 13 revenue districts in the state.
It is to be recalled that in Kerala, all Sangh-inspired organisations have own, separate women wings. Women wings of BJP, BMS, VHP, Hindu Aikya Vedi and Kerala Kshethra Samrakshana Samiti have large number of followers. Their leaders are popular among the common people and they command exemplary respect compared to the women leaders of other political parties in the state. When agitations of national importance and popular protests for Hindu cause take place, women are always there to court arrest and serve jail terms. The Sabarimala agitation of 2018 -2019 is a shining example for this.
