Navjivan Health Service & National Unity and Security Council (NUSC) in collaboration with CII IWN holds ‘Stree Samarthya’ summit

Chandigarh, March 28, 2025: Punjab Governor attends event as chief guest, says “Naari ek sanskaar shaala hai...A woman, in herself, is an institution of moral values and ethics.”

“Stree Samarthya Summit-2025’ is a transformational confluence of minds, hearts, and voices aimed at finding solutions that genuinely empower women,” Dr Monica B. Sood, Entrepreneur & Chairperson, National Unity and Security Council 

Chandigarh, March 28, 2025: 

Stree Samarthya summit, a path breaking initiative of the century-old Navjivan Health Service and National Unity and Security Council (NUSC), received a tremendous response from different stakeholders, reiterating their commitment to the holistic empowerment of women.

The event was graced by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria as the chief guest. The summit was organised at Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) Northern Region Headquarters here, by Navjivan Health Service & NUSC in collaboration with CII IWN (Indian Women Network).

During the event, the Governor released a coffee table book on women empowerment - 'Chitratma Stree Samarthya' on the occasion. 

The Governor in his address said, “Naari ek sanskaar shaala hai (A woman, in herself, is an institution of moral values and ethics).  He added that naari ko jis morche pe lagaya usne wahan jhanda gaarha hai, naari mein apaar shakti hai …which means (A woman achieves wonders in whichever field she is deployed and that a woman has immense power). The Governor asked the organisers to connect with needy women and provide them with benefits of government schemes for women.

He added that India’s dream of becoming a developed nation by 2047 cannot be realised without the progress of women.

Meanwhile, Dr Monica B Sood, CEO, Navjivan Health Service and Chairperson, NUSC and Ritika Singh, Chairperson, CII Indian Women Network (IWN), Chandigarh Region, shared details of the event at a press meet held on the side-lines of ‘Stree Samarthya’.

Dr Monica B Sood said, “’Stree Samarthya Summit-2025’ is a transformational confluence of minds, hearts, and voices aimed at finding solutions that genuinely empower women. ‘Stree Samarthya’ is a movement to awaken the inherent power within every woman — from the cities of Delhi and Mumbai to the villages of Bastar and Bhagalpur. I am sure if this is done a woman will not just change her life, but also change for the better the nation’s future.”

Talking further about Stree Samarthya Summit-2025, Dr Monica B Sood said that the summit addressed seven pillars of holistic empowerment of women: mental health and emotional well-being; financial literacy and economic empowerment; female health and HPV awareness; legal rights; cyber safety & physical security of women; women education and woman entrepreneurship.

Ritika Singh, Chairperson CII IWN and entrepreneur, said that the all-round empowerment of women is key to realizing the goal of Viksit Bharat. “CII IWN appreciates the efforts of Dr Monica B Sood and her dedication towards the empowerment of women. We are happy to have collaborated with her for a great cause,” added Ritika Singh.

Meanwhile, Dr Monica B Sood, felicitated Chief Guest Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Guests’ of Honour Sanjay Tandon, senior BJP leader; Rakhee Gupta Bhandari(IAS), Principal Secretary, Food Processing, Punjab and Sanjeev Goyal, IAAS, Director General Defence (Audit), Chandigarh.

The summit featured an impactful panel discussion on the most pressing issues affecting women today. The discussions were moderated by veteran journalist and media expert Jaskiran Kapoor. Eminent panellists included Kavita Das, accomplished educationist; Geetanjali Khandelwal, SP, Crime, Women and Child Welfare, Chandigarh, and Sandeep Sahni, a financial strategist. The other panellists were Shabana Azam, psychologist; Pooja Nayar, legal expert; Ritika Singh, Chairperson CII IWN and entrepreneur, and Dr Preeti Jindal.

In recognition of exceptional contributions made by women across sectors, the 'Stree Samarthya Summit-2025' also felicitated women change makers from diverse fields — teachers, entrepreneurs, homemakers, police officers, doctors, social workers, artists etc.

Those who were felicitated on the occasion were Manjit Kaur, President, Area & City Level Federation, Maloya - a dedicated social worker; Anu Kumar, Principal, Stepping Stones School, Chandigarh; Sister Shefali Parmar Principal, Carmel Convent School, Chandigarh; Dr Asha Katoch, CEO, DIR India - a passionate leader and advocate for social change; Meenu Prashar, Architect, Artist & Founder SHILPKOSH & NGO Cubs Club; Sheela Devi, a Braveheart Woman Bus Conductor & Devoted Mother; Sakshi Bahl, Librarian at Rayat Bahra University – also a Mentor & Advocate for Education; Dr Shweta Goyal, Director, VS Diagnostics & Mittal Diagnostics - a distinguished radiologist; Dr Shivani Satija, Deputy Civil Surgeon, Health Department, Haryana; Krishna Bhatia, a Social Worker & Community Contributor; Prerna Kalra, Founder & Director, HanuAI; Renu Saigal, President - Sahayata Charitable Welfare Society, Nishima Wangu, Assistant Professor, UIET, Panjab University and entrepreneur Sakshi Katyal.