Marking the setting up of its Women Empowerment Cell ‘Paakhi’, Sri Aurobindo College organized the inaugural ceremony of the cell on 16th February, 2018. The esteemed guests at the event were Ms. Garima Gupta, IAS, Directorate of Higher Education, Government of NCT of Delhi, and Ms. Sunita Godara, a former marathon Asian Gold winner. The event opened with Saraswati Vandana, followed by an address by Dr. Vipin Aggarwal, Principal of the college, who emphasized that Indian society must discard regressive traditional mentality and stereotypes about women.

Dispelling the popular notion about women’s fragility, Ms. Garima Gupta highlighted the fact that it is scientifically proven that women are genetically stronger than men. She further shed light on women’s ability to perform multiple tasks. Taking the stimulating discussion further, Sunita Godana mentioned how she herself has trained young girls in martial arts, who are now winning accolades in international competitions. The inaugural also saw multiple competitions such as Declamation, painting and poster-making contest on “the contribution of society towards empowering women” in which students from various University of Delhi colleges participated. The dramatics society of the college ‘Moksh’ presented a nukkad natak ‘Soch’ on women empowerment, conveying a message to the audience through their performance that women need to raise their consciousness, only then can real and lasting change take place in the society.

In his valedictory note, Dr. Vipin Kumar thanked the chief guests and audience for making the inaugural successful. He also made a promise that this initiative to empower women would not be limited to the college only, but every attempt will be made to spread the consciousness about empowering women in the adjacent villages of the college.