India will become inclusive, developed nation when daughters become educated: LS Speaker Om Birla

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday emphasised that women-led development, anchored in the empowerment of women and the welfare of children, is the foundation of India’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Inaugurating the first-ever National Conference of the Committees on Empowerment of Women of Parliament and State/UT Legislatures in Tirupati, he said India will become an inclusive and developed nation only when our daughters become educated & self-reliant.

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The conference was attended by representatives from more than 20 states.

The two-day conference is being held on the theme “Women-led Development for Viksit Bharat”, with a special focus on “Gender Responsive Budgeting” and “Empowering Women to Face Challenges of Emerging Technologies”.

The deliberations will centre on strengthening women’s leadership, enhancing participation in governance, ensuring inclusive policies, and advancing the vision of an India where women are not only beneficiaries but also principal architects of national development.

Mr Birla noted that the first-ever National Conference of Committees on Empowerment of Women represented a landmark moment in India’s democratic journey. Such conferences, he said, play a crucial role in exchange of thoughts and experiences, paving the way for inclusive policy making. It has brought together lawmakers, policymakers, and women leaders from across the country to collectively chart strategies for women’s leadership, equality, and inclusion in every sphere of life.

He highlighted that the Tirupati Conference sends a clear and powerful message that women’s empowerment and child welfare are not peripheral issues but the very foundation of national progress. With its focus on women’s leadership from Panchayats to Parliament, on inclusive laws and policies, and on economic independence for every woman, the Conference marks a decisive step in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, he said.

The Speaker stressed that women’s empowerment is not a one-time initiative but a continuous process requiring comprehensive policies that address the needs of women at every stage of life. He stressed the need to ensure women’s participation from Panchayats to Parliament, stating that increasing the presence of women in policy-making and law-making institutions will help address the challenges and barriers that women have historically faced. As India enters the Amrit Kaal, Nari Shakti is emerging as an unstoppable force leading the nation towards strength and inclusivity, Mr Birla stressed.

The strength, leadership, and participation of women across every sphere of national life are not only matters of equity but also the bedrock of inclusive and sustainable growth, he said. As India advances rapidly in education, science, governance, technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation, the role and secure future of women will determine the pace and character of national progress, he further said.

Mr Birla recalled the contribution of women freedom fighters whose sacrifice and dedication laid the foundation for a more equal and inclusive society. These courageous women broke barriers, challenged stereotypes, and emerged as leaders, strategists, and change-makers. Their legacy proved that the struggle for independence was not only political but also a fight for justice and equality. Their work in areas such as education, health, community development, and women’s rights ensured that the principles of equality and justice remained alive in independent India.