Lucknow: The Nav Anshika Foundation organized a colourful slogan-writing and painting competition themed “Nari Ek Roop Anek” (Woman: Many Forms) on the occasion of International Women’s Day at the Narmadeshwar Mahadev Temple. The event was part of the foundation’s month-long celebration titled “The Great Shaktiswaroopa Utsav”, being observed every Sunday in March.
Held under the Nav Anshika Women’s Month initiative, the competition witnessed enthusiastic participation from children including Navya, Ishi, Pihu, Myra, Ritika, Anushka, Kayanat and Madhav, who expressed their creativity through art and slogans celebrating the strength and dignity of women.
Participants conveyed inspiring messages such as “Nari hai shakti, nari hi abhiman, nari se hi roshan yeh saara jahaan” and “Sashakt Nari, Sashakt Samaj”, highlighting the invaluable role of women in shaping society and contributing to its progress across diverse fields.
Foundation President Neeshu Tyagi said that the series of programmes during Women’s Month aims to honour women from all walks of life and recognize their contribution to society. She noted that the celebrations began on March 1 with the “Nav Anshika Shramdevi Shakti Samman”, where women working in households in Rail Vihar Colony, Gomti Nagar, were honoured for their dedication and hard work.
Addressing the gathering, dancer and motivational speaker Anshika Tyagi emphasized that Indian culture has always accorded women the status of a goddess. She noted that the upcoming Chaitra Navratri—to be observed from March 19 to March 27—symbolizes the divine power of the feminine spirit and celebrates the reverence for women deeply rooted in Indian tradition.
Several dignitaries attended the programme, including Vice President Neera Lohani and members Rekha Sharma, Chandra Prabha Mayer, Garima Srivastava, Rachna Singh, Poonam Pandey, Lalita Sareen, Abha Kumar, Namrata Kumar, Renu Joshi and Pammi Mayer.
As part of the continuing celebrations, the foundation will organize a rangoli competition on March 15 based on the same theme “Nari Ek Roop Anek.” Participants will be required to submit photographs of their rangoli designs via WhatsApp. A fashion competition for homemakers will also be held the same day, allowing participants to showcase their creativity and confidence in line with the theme.
On March 22, the foundation will honour outstanding women achievers from Uttar Pradesh in fields such as education, sports and arts with the “Nav Anshika Tejaswini Samman.” Finally, on March 29, women who have excelled in traditionally male-dominated fields will be felicitated with the “Nav Anshika Sarvashree Samman.” Winners of the various competitions held throughout the month will also be awarded during the closing ceremony.
Event coordinator Dabir Siddiqui also shared insights into the history of International Women’s Day, noting that the observance began in the United States in 1909 and was later recognized internationally in 1910 at the Socialist International Conference in Copenhagen. Since 1921, March 8 has been celebrated globally to recognize the social, economic and political achievements of women.
