A Nations Goes Only As Far As Its Women Go

Removing obstacles from women's path is the blueprint for the progress of any society

-  DROUPADI MURMU

There are certain empowering moments that we all cherish for life. For me, one such moment was a sortie on the Sukhoi fighter, cruising along the Himalayan peaks and the Brahmaputra valley. I began the flight with diffidence, but ended up brimming with confidence and told myself, "Yes, we can." And the second moment that will indisputably mark an epochal change in the life of the nation was my signing of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam that proposes 33 per cent reservation for women in all legislative bodies.

These moments are integral to my life and I recall them to tell you an incredible story of women empowerment that is unfolding before us. As a girl from a remote tribal village of Odisha, I saw it happening. In my public life, I am overawed by the pace with which we are moving towards the goal of gender justice and gender equality.

One of the perks of being in public service is that you spend a lot of time travelling around our beautiful country and meeting extraordinary individuals. After assuming the office of the president of India, I have often hosted a variety of people and groups at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, too. From all my interactions with a cross-section of society over the years, one thing I would like to share with you today is this: The Indian woman is moving ahead with confidence.