Divya Unny / DNA
New Delhi, May 5: Over 2000 women, 40 countries and a single aim - empowerment of women across the globe. This is precisely what the International Women’s Conference 2007 (June 8-10) by the Art of Living Foundation aims to accomplish by bringing together urban and rural women from different parts of the world.
Among them are some of the most influential political, social and artistic achievers from India, including Kiran Bedi, Renuka Chowdhary, Sheila Dixit, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Hema Malini, Sharmila Tagore, Dia Mirza, Lara Dutta and Soha Ali Khan.
Says danseuse/actor Hema Malini, who will be performing at the conference on June 8, “When political leaders and celebrities come together for a conference like this, which has spirituality as its foundation, a lot can be done to eradiate grave women’s issues.”
One of the key aims will be to bridge the gap between highly successful and underprivileged women in India. “In times such as these when women world over are excelling in and commandeering fields normally reserved for men, atrocities are also at an all-time high. A conference like this will be an eye opener,” says Lara Dutta.
Adds chairperson Bhanumati Narsimhan, "This meet will enable women to share their insights and find ways of supporting each other.”
Sums up Kiran Bedi, “We must always ask ourselves whether we could be more compassionate and giving in everything we do for things to improvise.”