RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh’s Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (GGV) will host a two-day national seminar on August 5 and 6, focusing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s women empowerment initiatives, with particular attention to tribal and rural women in Chhattisgarh. The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) is sponsoring the event. Academics, researchers, and policymakers from across India will participate to discuss challenges and opportunities specific to Chhattisgarh’s forested and tribal regions. Women in these areas play a central economic role, but often face marginalisation in education, healthcare, and digital access.The seminar, themed “Women Empowerment Efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” seeks to encourage both central and state governments to launch integrated, culture-rooted empowerment programmes tailored to Chhattisgarh’s requirements.Professor Jasim Mohammad, Chairman of the Centre for Narendra Modi Studies, stated that researchers from across India, including Chhattisgarh, will present their papers during the seminar. The abstract of the seminar will be submitted to the central government and the Chhattisgarh government.Professor Mohammad emphasised the importance of organising the seminar in GGV, Bilaspur. He said Chhattisgarh holds a unique position in India’s development journey, particularly concerning tribal and rural women’s empowerment.

“Women in Chhattisgarh, especially in tribal and forested areas, play a central role in agriculture, forest produce collection, and local economies. They often remain outside formal frameworks of education, healthcare, and financial systems,” he explained. “Hosting this seminar in Bilaspur aims to highlight their struggles and strengths, and bring academic, administrative, and policy attention to their specific needs.

”Professor Mohammad suggested that the government launch special programmes for tribal and rural women in the state. He recommended mobile-based digital literacy drives, local-language entrepreneurship training, and health outreach programmes focused on nutrition and maternal care.“If we truly want to empower women in Chhattisgarh, we must address their lived realities, including long distances to schools and hospitals, lack of digital access, and economic dependence,” he added.

Professor Mohammad urged the central and state governments to create a dedicated Women Empowerment Mission for Chhattisgarh. This mission should integrate education, health, skill training, and leadership development, rooted in local culture and economy.The seminar will provide a national platform for scholars, researchers, students, and policymakers to deliberate on various initiatives undertaken by the Government of India for women’s empowerment under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

Key themes include financial inclusion, healthcare, quality education, skill development, legal safeguards, leadership, and safety measures for women.The concept note for the seminar highlights the Modi government’s comprehensive and integrated approach to women’s empowerment, addressing economic, educational, health, legal, and leadership dimensions. The seminar will examine the reach and impact of these policies in shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.Professor Alok Kumar Chakrawal, Vice-Chancellor of GGV, and Professor A. S. Ranadive, Registrar, lead the academic committee for the seminar.Dr. Jyoti Verma, Organising Secretary of the seminar, expressed enthusiasm about the event. “This seminar provides a chance for teachers, researchers, and students to discuss the steps taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to support women,” she said. “We hope to create a meaningful discussion on how these efforts have helped women in areas such as education, health, safety, and jobs. With support from ICSSR and collaboration with the Centre for Narendra Modi Studies, this seminar will inspire new ideas and research on women’s empowerment.

”The national academic platform seeks to inspire dialogue, shape research, and strengthen awareness on gender equity and the transformation underway for women in India.