Lucknow: In line with the directions of Governor and Chancellor Anandiben Patel, University of Lucknow organised a series of awareness-based competitions in its adopted villages to promote understanding of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023.
The three-day programme, held from April 16 to 18, 2026, was conducted under the aegis of the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Research Chair, Department of Social Work. The initiative focused on spreading awareness about women’s empowerment, gender equality, and increased participation of women in democratic processes.
As part of its rural outreach efforts, the university has adopted five villages—Bhainsamau, Ghazipur, Dingurpur, Mishripur, and Sonwa—in the Bakshi Ka Talab development block of Lucknow district. Various activities, including rallies, scooty and cycle rallies, and school-based campaigns like “Padhe Vidyalaya, Badhe Vidyalaya,” were organised across these villages. More than 200 students and teachers actively participated in the programme.
Competitions such as painting, speech, and story writing were held to engage young minds. Through artwork, participants creatively depicted themes of women’s rights, equality, and social transformation under the Act. In the speech competition, students highlighted the constitutional significance of the legislation, its role in political empowerment of women, and its positive impact on rural society.
The story-writing competition saw participants narrating inspiring tales centered on women’s struggles, achievements, and evolving roles in society, drawing inspiration from the provisions of the Act.
The primary objective of these activities was to disseminate knowledge about the legislation in simple terms and to sensitize the younger generation towards gender equality and women’s empowerment, particularly in rural areas.
The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Research Chair has been consistently undertaking initiatives aimed at social awareness, and this programme marked another step towards reinforcing constitutional values and inclusive development in rural India.
