10th International Women’s Conference

 

President Droupadi Murmu and Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar inspired thousands of delegates with powerful messages on inner strength, balance, and women-led progress.

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Bengaluru, India

The Hon. President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the inaugural session of the 10th Edition of The International Women’s Conference. Over 500 delegates from 50 countries gathered at the Art of Living International Center. She invited every woman to look within and find a treasure trove of virtues, talents, mental and spiritual strength to make a positive and long-lasting impact on society.

Smt. Droupadi Murmu said, “Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Living have inspired and helped people around the world to find inner peace through meditation and humanitarian services.” She added, “We are at the edge of technological disruption. In such a competitive world we should ensure our human values remain intact. This is where the role of women becomes important because they lead with compassion and kindness.” She spoke on mental health and said, “You can break silence by creating safe spaces and support systems for everyone to share and express. It is not possible to break barriers and stereotypes without mental strength.”

The conference was uniquely themed ‘Just Be.’ It called for a conscious pause, balance, acceptance of oneself, and resilience as avenues for navigating life’s challenges and driving meaningful change in the world.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar spoke with warmth. He said, “We cannot let a single tear fall from the eyes of a woman.” He shared that progress is born out of a positive environment and by a woman just being present, it becomes happy and positive. He added, “Her emotions are a blessing because it is with this emotional strength that she binds people together.” He believed that if women take on leadership roles, conflicts, disputes, wars, and societal distortions might even cease. He noted, “India has shown the way how women’s empowerment is needed, and it is very progressive. Here the mythology assigns the main ministries to women: the Defense Ministry—Durga, Finance Ministry—Lakshmi, Education Ministry—Saraswati.”

The day also featured voices from celebrated leaders. The actress and Member of Parliament Hema Malini said, “Many people ask how do I manage dance, performance, and public service? I say, ‘Just Be.’” Smt. Annapurna Devi reminded everyone that “Just Be is a reminder to stay grounded while chasing material success. Meditation and pranayama help us find balance and clarity.” Smt. Shobha Karandlaje spoke of a shift from women’s development to women-led development.

The session ended with the conferring of awards to honor valuable contributions in service, arts, and culture.

Arjuna awardee Lovlina Borgohain won hearts with her moving journey of success and self-discovery:

“Initially, success meant getting my parents out of their struggles. Later, I believed winning medals defined success. But after losing at the 2024 Olympics, I felt lost—until I found Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Through him, I realized true success is giving hope to children who want to pursue sports. In guiding them, I’ve found the greatest satisfaction.”

The pugilist made a special mention of how a conference like IWC, which is bridging the rural-urban divide and improving lives in rural communities through skill development projects and women empowerment programs, “is bringing hope and inspiration for all those hailing from the remotest villages that lack facilities.”

The second day of the conference opened with powerful conversations and an eclectic panel of achievers—filmmaker and writer Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Edelweiss Mutual Fund MD & CEO Radhika Gupta, and diplomat Ruchira Kamboj. Each shared personal stories of breaking societal conditioning to live their best lives.

Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari reflected on leaving a secure corporate job to follow her passion for storytelling: “I have seen in life that as I took these risks, somehow help arrived. You simply have to keep opening new doors.”

Ruchira Kamboj emphasized authenticity over outcomes: “Freedom begins when you realize what binds you, and you must choose to redefine that.”

In a keynote address on the essence and purpose of education in empowerment, Aishwarya DKS Hegde, the Bengaluru-based entrepreneur, shared: “Education is to convert knowledge into wisdom. Education is the combination of courage, confidence, and commitment. Education is about raising powerful girls and responsible boys.”

A special session, ‘Circle of Wisdom,’ brought together legendary actress Hema Malini and her daughter, actress Esha Deol. They shared insights on motherhood, art, and navigating life across generations.

Hema Malini spoke of balancing career and family through meticulous planning and discipline.

Esha Deol highlighted the mental health challenges posed by social media: “People are missing out on living life in this moment because of social media. Its overuse is leading to depression and making people not like themselves. That’s why being here (at the ashram) feels beautiful—it’s a space to tap into your soul and love yourself.”

A Visionary at the Helm: Smt. Bhanumathi Narasimhan

The International Women’s Conference, which has united 463 eminent speakers and 6,000 delegates from 115 countries over 20 years in a bond of sisterhood, love, and a common dream of a better and more equitable world, is the vision and brainchild of Smt. Bhanumathi Narasimhan, the sister of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Chairperson of IWC.

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