A conference dedicated to women empowerment was organised in Lucknow by CII Yi, on Malala Day. Women of substance from different walks of life came shared their journeys with the audience. After Gaurav Prakash wel comed the guests, Dr Kiran Bedi, retired IPS and social activist spoke about the need for women emporwer ment in Uttar Pradesh.

“Hindustan ko badalna hai toh pehle UP ko badalna hoga,” she said. Then former cap tain of the Indian P n of the Indian women’s cricket team Anjum Chopra spoke about being a woman in a man’s world, vis a-vis the game of cricket.

Theatre actor Dolly Thakore and Melissa Lee Ohm, a former US Marine, spoke about what it takes to champion the cause of women em powerment.

But it was Deepa Malik’s heartfelt speech that left every body in tears. The 44-yearold Arjuna awardee holds the distinction of being the first paraplegic Indian woman biker, car rallyist, swimmer and entrepreneur. Her tale moved the next speaker, Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor (known for the superhit Baby Doll), so much, that it took her several minutes to compose herself before she could talk.

The conference ended with a speech by protocol minister Abhishek Mishra.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Renu Singh, TNN / July 16th, 2014