“Swayam Siddha: Celebrating Being a Woman”, a three-day program(6-8 March, 2018) is being organized by the Faculty of Behavioral & Social Sciences (FBSS), Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS)to commemorate the International Women’s Day under the aegis of Dr. O P Bhalla Foundation.

The program was formally inaugurated by Sh. Vijay Sampla, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment in the presence of Sh. Satya Bhushan Jain, President, Vaish International Federation; Ms. Satya Bhalla, Chief Patron, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI); Dr. Prashant Bhalla, President, MREI; Dr. N C Wadhwa, VC, MRIIRS; Dr. N K Chadha, Chairman, Council of Doctoral Programs, MRIIRS; Dr. Chavi Bhargava Sharma, ED & Dean, FBSS, MREI and other senior functionaries.

While encouraging and acknowledging the contribution of the academic sector towards the empowerment of women in the society, Sh. Samplastressed on a greater need for education institutions to focus on connecting the society with its roots. He reiterated that educational institutions, alone can mould a complete and a compassionate human being.

In his address, Dr. Prashant Bhalla talked about the social initiatives that Dr. O P Bhalla Foundation has been working upon and how MREI has been contributing towards the empowerment of women and towards nation building.

A book titled “Counselling Skills” was launched on this occasion. This book has been authored by Dr. N K Chadha and co-authored by Dr. Salma Seth and Dr. Harpreet Bhatia from the Delhi University.

The opening workshop for the three-day program was on “Gender & Society” by WISCOMP (Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace), an initiative of the Foundation of Universal Responsibility of HH the Dalai Lama. Topics such as female feticide and harassment were discussed through clips of popular movies.

The second workshop “MeToo” by Prof (Dr.) Chavi Bhargava Sharma provided an understanding of feeling safe in the workplace, sexual harassment, cybercrime, stalking and eve-teasing.  Awareness was also created on the recent amendments in laws to safeguard victims.

The third workshop on “Parenting Skills” was conducted by Dr. Renu Kishore, who is a renowned Child Psychologist and Professor of Psychology in Delhi University.

The fourth workshop was on “Long Term Relationship Management” by Dr. NK Chadha.

The third day of the program (March 8) will witness an enactment of Dinesh Thakur Ank’s “PrashnPanchali”- Mahabharata in fast forward mode.