Hyderabad: Union women and child development minister Smriti Irani said the struggle for the women's reservation bill was not merely 30 years old, as claimed by the Congress, but a battle spanning seven decades. She pointed out that women had foreseen the need for political parity when the Constitution was being written. Their foresight and determination led to the demand for equal opportunities, rather than added indulgence.
She commended the BJP for acknowledging the need to guarantee gender parity within the Constitution and stressed that such affirmative actions do not take away rights from any man, but instead, add value to society.
Speaking at an event organised by the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) in Hyderabad, titled ‘Future Role of Women in India’, Irani rejected the notion of women waiting to be rescued in the name of empowerment.
“Just like our Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, women need to lead boldly and spearhead development themselves,” she said.
She noted that women entrepreneurs were not just contributors to the tax system but were driving economic growth. However, she criticised the current data collection process, particularly in indices like the Global Hunger Index and employment indicators, for overlooking significant contributions made by women elected to panchayats, Assemblies and Councils. “Women in self-help groups and SME segment are not computed, they exist but are not counted,” she said.
Irani asserted that she would never subject herself to victimhood and urged others not to blame the country for the actions of politicians. Addressing the disparity in BJP's popularity between north and south India, she attributed it to the fabric of local politics, assuring that the party would find its footing in due course.
Refusing to comment on the Israel-Palestine war, she said that anybody's words — apart from the external affairs minister — would not be helpful, given the consequences of such statements.
Saying her life was far from a sob story, and that she was driven by the determination to live a life free of regrets, Irani, at the tender age of 12, made a solemn commitment to her family: To embrace the consequences of her own choices, rather than relying on others.
Irani said that Rudyard Kipling's words to treat success and failure alike truly defined an Indian woman.
Irani emphasised the importance of self-responsibility in raising one's children and shaping one's home. She underscored the necessity of maintaining a sense of responsibility and ethics. “My daughter once complained that all her friends’ parents were their best friends, I told her, ‘too bad, you can make more friends but you'll only have one mother’,” she said.
She said that relationships should not be reduced to mere transactions, calling for a deeper sense of connection and empathy in society.
Addressing a question on the role of women in sustainability, she said women define sustainability and have been doing it for years now. “From finding several ways to drape or use a single piece of garment to being resourceful with the little and ensuring even a vegetable peel is put to use, Indian women have always been and will continue to be at the forefront of sustainability,” she said.
She took a moment to appreciate Deccan Chronicle photographer Pavan, who stood still during the National Anthem, in contrast to others.
