No. PR – 236 March 12, 2022 New Delhi A mother provides wings to her daughter for breaking barriers of gender biasness, says Ms. Rakhee Gupta Bhandari (IAS), Principal Resident Commissioner, Government of Punjab PHDCCI’s Women, Child Development and Entrepreneurship (WCD&E) Committee organised a hybrid programme on 11 March 2022 for celebrating the International Women’s Day 2022 with the theme ‘Maa aur Beti- Ek Atoot Rishta’, aiming to cherish a mother daughter bond. Ms. Rakhee Gupta Bhandari (IAS), Principal Resident Commissioner, Government of Punjab, congratulated PHDCCI for conceptualizing this beautiful event. She talked about empowering relationship of a mother-daughter and how a mother supports, mentors and guides her daughter in everything she does. A mother is the one who encourages her daughter to break the glass ceilings and to empower other women in achieving their goals in life. Mr. Pradeep Multani, President, PHDCCI, while deliberating his presidential address mentioned that women empowerment isn’t just about offering equal rights to women, but also about ensuring that they are intrinsic and equitable partners in the workforce. Women empowerment in India is heavily dependent on many different variables that include geographical location (urban/rural), educational status, social status (caste and class) and age. He further said that gender equality is the pre-requisite for a better world. Gender equality and the empowerment of women lie at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals and they are vital to fully realizing the rights and potential of all persons. Mr. Saket Dalmia, Senior Vice President, PHDCCI, congratulated all the panelists and appreciated the bond of not only mother-daughter, but also father-daughter. He said that women are no longer only responsible for cooking, kitchen cleaning, washing dishes, dusting etc.; they have made efficient use of the opportunities given to them over the past few decades and have proved time and again that they are no less than anyone. Be it joining the armed forces or taking up leadership roles in government offices, there have been active participation of women in all spheres. While delivering the Welcome Address, Dr. Aruna Abhey Oswal, Chairperson- WCD&E Committee, PHDCCI, said that women have everything required for becoming a successful leader, an entrepreneur, an officer in any field. Creativity, resilience, strong-spirit, confidence, hard work, perseverance are some of the qualities that can be imbibed from women. She also cherished the strong bond of a mother-daughter and talked about their infinite support to each other. Dr. Blossom Kochhar, Co- Chairperson- WCD&E Committee, PHDCCI, said that a daughter is another form of goddess Lakshmi. Parents who have a daughter have everything in terms of wealth and prosperity. Ms. Shallu Jindal, Co-Chairperson- WCD&E Committee, PHDCCI, shared her views on the relationship of not only a mother-daughter but also the beautiful relationship she shares with her Gurus, Radha Reddy Ji and Kaushalya Reddy Ji. Ms. Nandita Jain, Co-Chairperson- WCD&E Committee, PHDCCI, said that she is a friend to her daughter and her grand daughters. She mentioned that women should be handholding other women like a friend. The following Maa aur Beti Jodi were conferred with Samman for their unconditional bonding and the sucsess in their respective fields: – Dr. Mala Dutt, (IES Retd.), Former Additional Secretary & Financial Adviser (AS&FA), later as Principal Adviser in Ministry of Defence, Government of India and her daughter Dr. Shreya Dutt Mishra, Consultant, World Bank Group. – Ms. Kiran Choudhary, MLA, Former Cabinet Minister, Former CLP Leader, Congress, Haryana, Former Deputy Speaker, Delhi Vidhan Sabha and her daughter Ms. Shruti Choudhry, Former MP, Bhiwani-Mahendergarh, Congress, Haryana. – Ms. Radha Reddy, renowned as exponents of the South Indian dance form, Kuchipudi, a Guru and a Choreographer and her daughter *Ms. Yamini Reddy*, Head of Natya Tarangini Raja Radha Reddy- Institute of Kuchipudi Danc. – Ms. Kaushalya Reddy, Kuchipudi Indian Classical Dancer, Nattuvanar, Guru & Natya Tarangini Director and her daughter *Ms. Bhavana Reddy*, Internationally acclaimed Kuchipudi dancers The event was moderated by Dr. Yogesh Srivastav Assistant Secretary General, PHDCCI and Ms. Shagun Singhal Garg, Member- WCD&E Committee, PHDCCI. The webinar was supported by Oswal Greentech Ltd, Blossom Kochhar Beauty Products Pvt Ltd, JSPL Foundation and InoxGFL Group. The webinar was attended by industry stalwarts pan-India, entrepreneurs, budding entrepreneurs, number of philanthropic social workers as well as students. The event was also sponsored by PHDCCI’s Annual Sponsors – Multani Pharmaceuticals Ltd; Star Wire; PG Industry; Uflex Ltd; DLF Ltd; Continental Carriers Pvt Ltd; Belair Travel & Cargo Pvt Ltd; Radico Khaitan Ltd; Jindal Steel & Power; MMG Group; Paramount Communications; Superior Industries Limited; JK Tyre & Industries Ltd; SMC Investments and Advisors Ltd; Crystal Crop Protection Ltd; Sagar Group of Industries; Samsung India Electronics; Comtech Interio; R E Rogers; AYUSH Herbs Private Ltd; Apeejay Stya Group; DCM Shriram; EaseMyTrip; Blossom Kochhar Beauty Products Pvt Ltd; Oswal Greentech; Trident Group; MV Cotspin Ltd; Synergy Environics Ltd; Ajit Industries Pvt Ltd; P S BEDI & Co.; Indian Farmer &Fertilizers Corporation Ltd; Jindal Steel; Hindware Sanitary; Modern Automobiles; Livit Ltd; Axa Parenterals; Bhagwati Plastic and Pipes Industries; J K Insurance Brokers Ltd; DD Pharmaceutical Ltd. *END* Warm Regards, Media Division PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry