women leadership

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has called on women leaders from Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation to make governance more inclusive and people-oriented. Speaking at the ‘Panchayat se Parliament 2.0’ programme on Monday, Birla emphasized the critical role of technology in driving sustainable development and empowering grassroots governance. The event, organized at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) in collaboration with the National Commission for Women and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, witnessed the participation of over 500 women PRI representatives from 22 states and Union territories. Birla highlighted the transformative power of women’s leadership in strengthening democracy, noting that their inclusion, particularly from rural and tribal communities, is key to achieving socio-economic change. He lauded the Nari Shakti Vandan Act as a testament to India’s progressive vision for gender equality and women’s empowerment. During the event, Birla demonstrated Sansad Bhashini, an AI tool designed to translate speeches into six Indian languages—Gujarati, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. The tool aims to bridge language barriers, fostering inclusive communication and governance. Reflecting on India’s journey since independence, Birla invoked the legacies of figures like Rani Laxmi Bai and tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda, urging PRI representatives to draw inspiration from their contributions. He underscored the need for women-led development in addressing rural challenges such as clean drinking water, sanitation, and education while promoting self-reliant villages through entrepreneurship. The programme also featured interactive workshops on constitutional provisions, including the 73rd Amendment and the PESA Act, alongside discussions on government schemes targeting tribal welfare. The event reaffirmed India’s commitment to empowering women at all levels of governance, from panchayats to Parliament. Source: Business Standard Photo Credit: Business Standard