Indira Fellowship Programme, an initiative of the Indian National Congress (INC) in memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, with the aim to empowering women in the political field, was launched on Thursday at the State party office in a press conference. Leader of Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly, Umang Singhar said that the Indian National Congress has made continuous efforts to encourage and empower women in various aspects of governance, especially in political representation. The Congress Party has implemented policies and initiatives that can ensure greater participation of women in politics and decision-making processes. State President of the Youth Congress, Mitendra Darshan Singh said, “Our leader Rahul Gandhi is a strong believer in the idea of ensuring greater participation of women in politics and nation building and has urged women to join this revolution, called the Shakti Abhiyan.” He further said that the Indira Fellowship is an important component of the Shakti Abhiyan and is designed to provide a platform to women who aspire to leave a lasting impact in their communities. As a political tool, this movement is based on the core ideas of ‘Rights, Share and Identity’.

 

Giving further information, Geeta Kadve, an office-bearer of the party, said that in a short span of one year, more than 300 fellows have established 4300 Shakti Clubs in 28 states and 350 blocks, involving more than 31000 members, which are the main centers of establishment and operation of Shakti Abhiyan. “Our goal is that women get 50% share in resources, opportunities and power structures. Through this impactful initiative, we are striving to give equal space to women's 'interests' in politics and decision-making processes, so as to ensure 'representation of women by women' in local bodies, assemblies and parliament,” she said. She also mentioned that their wishes and aspirations can never be properly represented in a divided and polarised society; hence Shakti Abhiyan ‘urges women to unite against hate and violence’. “The role of women as transformative agents is essential in the current socio-political situation of the country, so that they can help in overturning the public discourse that has been contaminated by violent and hate-filled political appeals,” she said.