Nari Shakti Powering Viksit Bharat: Women Leading India’s Development Story

Introduction

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent assertion, “Today, Nari Shakti is actively participating in the resolution of a Viksit Bharat and setting examples across sectors,” reflects a significant transformation in India’s developmental journey. Women's power, or Nari Shakti, has changed from being a representation of fortitude and tenacity to becoming a catalyst for social, political, and economic advancement. Indian women have not only contributed to but also taken the lead in developing the concept of Viksit Bharat, a modern, independent India, in the twenty-first century.

This blog explores the increasing involvement of women in a variety of fields, including education, entrepreneurship, politics, science, and grassroots governance, and emphasizes how they are leading by example and influencing the country's future.

The Vision of Viksit Bharat

"Viksit Bharat" is the government's unambiguous vision to make India a fully developed country by 2047, the year of its 100th anniversary of independence. It encompasses all-encompassing advancements in fields including social justice, economic growth, scientific advancement, digital infrastructure, education, and sustainable living.

Gender inclusion, where women are viewed as active stakeholders and change agents rather than just recipients, is a key component of this approach. This objective now revolves around the inclusion and empowerment of women in all development frameworks.

Empowering Women: A Policy-Driven Approach

In the past ten years, gender-sensitive development has been a major focus of India's policy revival. Women's involvement in creating a Viksit Bharat has been directly touched by a number of government initiatives:

Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao: A national campaign to promote the education and survival of the girl child.
Ujjwala Yojana: Empowering rural women by providing clean cooking fuel.
PM Mudra Yojana: Facilitating micro-loans for women entrepreneurs.
Stand-Up India: Enabling SC/ST and women entrepreneurs to start businesses.
Mission Shakti: Consolidating efforts for the safety, security, and empowerment of women.

Nari Shakti is now able to flourish in a variety of industries thanks to the foundation these activities have created.

Nari Shakti in Governance and Leadership

Grassroots Democracy: Women at the Helm

Women were granted a third of the seats in Panchayati Raj institutions after the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments. More than 1.4 million women are currently elected to local office. By raising this reserve to 50% in certain states, women are now able to play a significant role in local administration, sanitation, education, and health facilities.

Women in National Leadership

Additionally, women have advanced significantly in state and national politics. Women are taking the lead in both policy and diplomacy, from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's diplomatic corps to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Growing confidence in women's leadership in legislative matters and shifting societal attitudes are reflected in the recent rise in the number of female MPs in Parliament.

Trailblazing in STEM: Breaking Barriers

STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—have historically been dominated by men. However, Indian women have altered the story:

ISRO’s Chandrayaan Missions saw key roles played by women scientists.
Dr. Tessy Thomas, known as the 'Missile Woman of India,' has shattered glass ceilings at DRDO.
A move toward a more inclusive innovation environment is indicated by the growing number of women working in biotech, data science, and AI startups.

Particularly in rural areas, the Digital India movement has increased female digital literacy even further, enabling them to upskill and engage in the knowledge sector.

Women Entrepreneurs: Building the Economic Backbone

In India, the emergence of female entrepreneurs is truly revolutionary. Industry estimates indicate that women currently hold more than 20% of all Indian firms, from small-scale microbusinesses in rural areas to large-scale tech startups in major cities.

Notable Women Entrepreneurs:

Falguni Nayar (Founder of Nykaa)
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (Biocon)
Richa Kar (Zivame)
Aditi Gupta (Menstrupedia)

In addition to being profit-driven, many of these businesses address pressing societal issues like gender sensitivity, menstruation cleanliness, and women's access to digital technology.

Programs like Startup India and Mudra Yojana have been quite helpful in terms of networking, funding, and mentoring.

Education: The Foundation of Empowerment

The first step to real empowerment is education. Particularly in regions like Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra, the percentage of women who are literate has been gradually increasing. Nearly half of undergraduate students nowadays are female, and many of them go on to pursue careers in business, law, medicine, and research.

In order to ensure that young girls obtain both formal education and skill-based learning that can lead to employment and entrepreneurship, NEP 2020 (National Education Policy) places a strong emphasis on equity and access.

Sports and Culture: Nari Shakti Shines on the Global Stage

Indian women athletes, such as PV Sindhu in badminton, Nikhat Zareen in boxing, and Savita Punia in hockey, have elevated their nation's profile internationally.

Women are changing the narratives in literature, the arts, and film by running prestigious production companies, writing best-selling books, and directing movies. In order to change attitudes and dispel long-standing misconceptions, this cultural transformation is essential.

Challenges Ahead: Addressing the Gaps

Despite these encouraging developments, a number of issues still exist:

Workforce Participation: Women’s labor force participation remains low, especially in urban areas.
Gender Pay Gap: Women still earn less than their male counterparts for the same roles.
Safety and Mobility: Issues of safety, especially in Tier 2 and rural areas, hinder progress.
Representation in Tech and Finance: Certain high-growth sectors still show skewed gender representation.

Long-term gender equality depends on closing these gaps through consistent policy, social change, and private sector involvement.

Conclusion: Nari Shakti is Nation Shakti

The Prime Minister's statement reflects India's changing identity rather than merely being a statement. Without the active and complete involvement of its women, a Viksit Bharat cannot be realized. Indian women are setting the standard for creativity, household management, and government leadership, inspiring millions.

The vision is clear as we move closer to India@100: Nari Shakti will be the cornerstone of India's development rather than an afterthought. Since the country soars when women rise, the trip has already begun and the future appears better.