Women should not live in fear, says Rekha

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena honoured seven women achievers, including social workers and paralympians, at an event in the Capital on Sunday.

The felicitation took place during an all-women bike rally. It saw participation from women across the city, including members of the armed forces, as a symbol of empowerment and resilience.

Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta praised the bikers for breaking stereotypes and inspiring countless women. She said their participation was a proof that women could accomplish anything. Highlighting the significance of the event, she said the rally was being organised annually since 2013 following a major tragedy in Delhi. She emphasised that women should not live in fear, adding that victory lies beyond fear.

The women honoured at the event included Humaira Mushtaq, first international car racer from Jammu and Kashmir; Arjuna award-winning wrestler Divya Kakran; Sweety Mehta, a domestic violence survivor who set up NGOs to support other women; Rekha Jindal, known for her work in drug rehabilitation; Nalini Asthana, who teaches computer skills to slum dwellers; para-athlete Kanchan Lakhani; and social worker Neetu Chaudhary.

The rally, which was flagged off from Connaught Place here at 11 am, saw enthusiastic participation.

Gupta noted that she herself used to ride a scooter during her university days and expressed pride in seeing so many women bikers take to the streets. She described the event as a moment of pride for Delhi’s women, emphasizing the theme “Shakti se Smriti”, which aims to instill confidence and courage.

L-G VK Saxena praised the rally as a powerful display of women’s strength and progress. He said women in India were advancing alongside men and, in some fields, even surpassing them.

Citing the recent Delhi Assembly elections, he pointed out that women voter turnout was higher than that of men. He also credited the Prime Minister’s initiatives for promoting women empowerment, adding that the presence of over 1,000 bikers at the event was a testament to this progress.

The rally, with its high-energy participation and support from onlookers, sent a strong message of women empowerment and confidence. As the bikers made their way through the city, they showcased not just their riding skills but also their determination to create a society where women can move forward without fear.