Emphasising that women’s empowerment must be rooted in Indian cultural values, moral fortitude, and self-reliance rather than superficial Western modernism, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Central Working Committee Member Shalini Verma administered five solemn pledges (Panch Sankalp) to the girl students during the ‘Tvam Hi Durga’ Yuvati Sammelan organised by ABVP on Friday. Addressing the gathering at the Ramgopal Maheshwari Auditorium, Jhansi Rani square, she asserted that, “Goddess Durga is not confined to stone idols in temples, but is an intrinsic spiritual and moral power residing within every woman.” Verma exhorted the youth to adopt five guiding resolutions: Kutumb Prabodhan (cultivating family bonds and values), Paryavaran (environmental protection through plantation), Swa-Aadharit Jeevan Shaili (embracing self-reliance), Nagrik Kartavya (upholding civic duties), and Samajik Samarasata (fostering social harmony).

 

Warning students against falling prey to misleading foreign narratives, destructive lifestyle trends, and exploitative dating networks that commodity feminine dignity, she stressed that achieving a developed nation requires youth to champion cultural ethos and fearless self-respect. Inaugurating the sessions, MERC Judicial Member Kalpana Tiwari urged girls to cultivate deep dedication to knowledge acquisition and situational analysis, emphasising three foundational commitments: nurturing family values, fostering fearless self-reliance, and becoming responsible nation-builders. High Court Advocate Rutuja Kulkarni and Bhagyashree Harde addressed subsequent sessions on organisational rights and national reconstruction. Attended by Dr Medha Kanetkar, Khushboo Kanfade, Tanu Samudre, and Butibori Secretary Laxmi Vardhane, the convention concluded with a Shobhayatra featuring over 1,200 students, filling the streets with resounding slogans of ‘Phool bhi hai, chingari hai, hum Bharat ki naari hai’.