A vibrant gathering of scholars, activists, and policy experts unfolded at Gopichand Arya Mahila College as the Women’s Studies Centre, in association with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), convened a one-day national conference titled Nari Mukti: An Unstoppable Saga (NMUS-25). Sponsored by the University Grants Commission (UGC), the event emerged as a crucial platform for addressing the manifold challenges confronting women today and exploring avenues toward gender equality and progressive societal change.
The conference was dedicated to fostering in-depth discussions on critical themes, ranging from the dynamics of modern patriarchy to the urgent need for legal reforms addressing gender-based violence. Attendees engaged in debates over the taboos shrouding women’s health, sexuality, and reproductive rights, while also considering the pivotal role of women in realizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Notably, the conversation expanded to incorporate the intersection of environmental issues and gender, with a thought-provoking session on ecofeminism—highlighting the common threads that weave the oppression of women and environmental degradation together.
In a memorable tribute, Convener Amandeep Kaur announced that the conference was dedicated to the late Dev Mittar Ahuja, a stalwart social figure celebrated for his unwavering commitment to girls’ education and the upliftment of women. “His legacy continues to inspire our mission toward creating a more equitable society,” Kaur remarked.
Dr. Dharmjit Singh Parmar, Vice Chancellor of Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, opened the event as the keynote speaker, setting a tone of scholarly rigor and passionate advocacy. The ceremony commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, an act symbolizing the dispelling of darkness with the light of knowledge, performed by an esteemed group including Chief Guest Rajnish Ahuja, Advisor Charu Ahuja, and WSC Director Dr. Rekha Sood Handa.
The conference featured several distinguished resource persons who enriched the dialogue with their expertise. Among the speakers were Dr. Garima Mahajan, Principal of SD College Mansa; Dr. Jaspal Warwal, Associate Professor at the Centre of Distance Education, University of Jammu; Dr. Tauseef Fatima, Assistant Professor at the Centre of Women Studies, Aligarh Muslim University; Dr. Sandeep Kaur from the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda; as well as Prof. Jap Preet Kaur Bhangu and Dr. Neetu Purohit from DAV College, Bhatinda. Their contributions underscored the urgent need to confront and dismantle the remnants of outdated patriarchal structures, while also shining a light on innovative strategies to empower women through microfinance initiatives and self-help groups.
In an era marked by rapid societal shifts, NMUS-25 has reinvigorated the discourse on women’s rights and gender justice, calling on all stakeholders to unite in the relentless pursuit of equity. The collaborative spirit and rich tapestry of ideas showcased at the conference promise to resonate well beyond Abohar, catalyzing new pathways for transformative change in communities across the nation.
