Evolving Role Of Women In Modern Bharat – Conversation With Ms. Smriti Irani

FLO KOLKATA invited Ms. Smriti Irani for an interactive session on, ‘The Evolving Role of Women in Modern Bharat’. The Union Cabinet Minister of Women & Child Development and Minority Affairs was warmly welcomed to the stage by President Radhika Dalmia. “There is so much more to her, and the list can go on,” remarked Ms. Dalmia in her introduction. She outlined the strides that Ms. Irani has taken in the course of her career even as she has initiated successful large scale projects to benefit the nation. The session was moderated by Priya Sahgal, Senior Executive Editor at NewsX and anchor of the award-winning shows, ‘The Roundtable’ and ‘Cover Story’.

Ms. Smriti Irani opened the session by saying, “We don’t want empowerment – because that sounds like we are looking for a handout, and we are waiting to be rescued. I think this conversation is about how you women, who have the capacity to not only change lives, in your families, in your organisations, but also in your communities, can contribute to them.”

When asked about the challenges of being a female MP, Ms. Irani said, “One of the greatest disservices we do to female politicians is to expect that we will only work for women. Nobody has that expectation of male politicians. I have never seen a male MP being asked, how does it feel to be a male MP? Nobody asks male politicians what they would do for other men.”

Speaking out against corruption, Ms. Irani reiterated a statement made in 2023 saying, “If you are corrupt, you are to be held accountable regardless of your gender.”
Deftly switching between English, Hindi and Bengali, she shared thoughts on her life, religion, and respect. When an audience member asked how Ms. Irani has been able to step into different roles, she stated, “What I am is a professional. No matter what profession you are in, if you are not honest, people are intelligent enough to know when you are faking it. I feel it does not matter whether I am a mother, a wife, a politician or a media personality. What matters is how I am as a human being.”
The audience of more than 250 members had many questions for Ms. Smriti Irani, seeking insights on the different sides of life. She responded to the latter saying, “Work life balance has been created as a platform, psychologically, for many professions, for all women. It is only the woman who needs to balance between her need, her responsibility, and her ambition. Why? Every woman here knows how to run her life. Who decides the balance?” The event was applauded by everyone who attended.