US President Barack Obama rode high on the wave of women empowerment that swept the nation, as this republic day was dedicated to the cause, and not just proverbially- but quite tangibly. A historic panorama burst into life, as a contingent of women soldiers from the IAF, Navy and Army, who had been bracing themselves for this day ever since they pledged their physical and mental mettle to the nation-got the tribute they deserved when they marched in unison, heads held high.
The Naval tableau titled "Bhartiya Nau Sena aur Nari Shakti" was led by Lt Commander Swetha Kapoor and Lt Varthika Joshi. The IAF contingent was led by squadron leader Sneha Shekhawat. The T-90 Bhishma column, which had a woman officer, Captain Urvashi, commanding one of the tanks enthralled the crowd as well. The commemoration of the 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war was led by Squadron Leader Garima Dixit. A chill-inducing montage of women scaling the heights of the Everest followed, to establish the mood of the current era.
In a town hall meeting-style speech at the Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi, Obama elaborated his ecstatic stance at the sight, and his belief about the women in his life, his country, ours and the world’s, to the 2000-strong invited audience that comprised youths, students, NGOs and diplomats.
Starting with anecdotes about him and his wife, First Lady Michelle, who has been by his side in every endeavor, Obama said, "Michelle is not afraid to speak her mind or tell me when I am wrong, which happens very frequently," as the audience exploded into loud cheers.
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Obama in India
Picture By: Fox News
About his own efforts back home, he acknowledged that India and the US are struggling to achieve some of the same goals. "(We are) still working to ensure that women and girls have all the opportunities they deserve", and took the opportunity to convey his respect to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had come with him, as a "role model" of women's empowerment.
Obama, well aware of the double-onus women carry on their shoulders as "wives and mothers” who "toil hold families and communities together,” as well as professional leaders, ", he said the women have proven that "they can succeed in everything".
Mirroring the statement that Jawaharlal Nehru had made- “You can tell the condition of the nation by looking at the status of women,” Obama added his modern day version to the thought. "Nations are more successful when their women are successful, when girls go to school. Nations that want to succeed cannot ignore the talents of half their people.
Finally lamenting over how men don’t realize that the women’s movement is as much of a battle for men as the women, Obama advised all the men that "as fathers, husbands and brothers, we have to step up as every girl deserves as much a chance as the son, every woman should be able to walk the street and ride the bus (with safety) and be treated with respect," he said, possibly a subliminal reference to the 16 December, 2012 gang rape of a woman aboard a moving bus in Delhi.
Finally, commenting on the glorious show pillared by the valorous women of our nation, he said he was happy to "see all the incredible women in the Indian armed forces." This, he said, is a sign of "great progress".
Original: Firstpost
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