As part of our special zoom series, women empowerment and achievement, dedicated to the British Asian women was organised by Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar on 27th May 2023. During this event, we discussed on the phenomenal contribution and success stories of British Asians women along with the difficulties faced by them and solutions to it.
The event was followed by the e-launch of poetry collection book “Whispers of My Heart” written by Dr. Jayashree Shah, which is dedicated to her late mother. The proceeds from the book sales of this heart-touching poetry collection will be used to restore vision and conduct cataract operation from extremely poor people residing in rural areas of India.
CEO of Saheli Enfield, Krishna Pujara and Consulting editor of Gujarat Samachar, Jyotsna Shah moderated the event. Singer Bharti Patel enthralled the participants with her melodious voice during the programme. Dr Aashni Shah recited a few lines of poem during e-launch of book. C B Patel, the Publisher and Editor-in-chief of ABPL group, congratulated Jayshree Shah on her book and said, “Poetry is a start of life.”
Mrs Ruchi Ghanshyam, Former High Commissioner of India to the UK, said, “It is important on how women is being viewed in our society, culture and religion. We have female goddesses, great women in our history, queens who fought battles and many role models throughout the ages, that we can look upon as inspiration. And yet, when it comes to our society, or day to day life we have an image of a woman who is kept on a pedestal, as a baby, as a mother, as someone you have to respect and revere. On the other hand, there are many issues and obstacles we face, including the mistreatment, oppressed or downtrodden women, and women who are unable to reach their full potential. Because they are trained and raised to simply fulfil the expectations of the family, they are unable to even dream of having any goals. On the one hand, we have a society that values women, and on the other, we have the same culture that still has a long way to go in terms of women's status. The hurdles that women experience on their journey to empowerment are the reason why the event you are holding is so crucial,” she said.
She said, “When a woman joins a good profession, or achieves a good position, there is always a certain amount of bias that she has to contend with. I remember when I went as high commissioner for the first time; I was in my late 40s, which was fairly young for a high commissioner. Oh, you have such a lot of responsibility on your young shoulders. I don't know if men face similar challenge. Whether they are too young or old, I don't think it becomes such a big factor. But for women, everything, every aspect of their work, is always a little bit underscrutiny. And that's what I always told my colleagues and especially younger women colleagues, that they must work doubly hard and they have to be perfect, because if a man is not good, he only will be blamed. But if a woman is not good, then all women get blamed.”
“So, each woman who has reached somewhere in her life or achieved something has a responsibility towards all the other women to make sure that nobody gets judged adversely because of them. There are so many women who need role models. I think every woman must find a role model in herself, to mentor somebody or to reach out to people, to present yourself to people to be able to encourage others and be the role model for them. So, that women feel confident enough to come forward,” she added.
Ruchi said, “Now this journey that women undertake is not just a journey for women alone. I don't think this journey can ever be successful unless, we have the cooperation and support of the men in our lives. We are like the wheels of the car. I mean, one wheel cannot take the car forward at all; all the wheels have to move to take the vehicle forward. It is invariably the support of a loving father, very supportive and encouraging husband. Sons and brothers are also someone who encourages the woman to go forward.”
Krishna Pujara said, “If you dream of something then don't just let it sit in your mind, but do something about it and your dreams will come through. We have been campaigning for parity in terms of how we can work together and have equal rights, or pay within the salaries and all that and mentoring. So, women walked together and we want support from men as well. And obviously, we don't walk behind men, we want to walk together and see how we can all make a difference to the community.”
Managing editor of Gujarat Samachar, Kokila Patel said, “Women's roles and contributions are crucial to the development of the family and society. A society like this develops and becomes robust. This is best illustrated by our ABPL group. Our inspiring and Editor in Chief CB Patel has given great priority to women empowerment. Texts from the Rigveda and the Upanishads indicate that there were many women were sages like Gargi and Maitreyi . The immortal stories of heroic women like Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Maharani Ahalyabai of Malwa, the great warrior and administrator Jijabai are still immortal in the pages of history. Even in Western countries including Britain, the historical glory of Indian women is very inspiring for all of us. Among the five most inspiring Indian British women for women empowerment such as Princess Sophie of Punjab, Cornelia Sorabji, Indira Devi, Noor Inayat Khan and Karpal Sandhu.”
Writer and professor, Usha Upadhyay said, “ It is my pleasure to interact with you all through this program today. Respected C.B. Patel sir is highly regarded to me. I must say Jayshreeben well said about awakening your latent power. If female power is awakened and works in a positive manner, then there can be no problem anywhere in the world.”
She said, “ C.B. Patel is the link between us, and I get the impression that you are interested in the work we perform on women's empowerment. The role of a mother varies around the world, however depending on the situation, a woman may be honoured or ignored. In this case, if there is actually a platform and support for the empowerment of women, then their influence can advance society much further. It has been figuratively stated all over the world that when society advances by excluding the woman who is entitled to half the sky and half the earth, she is not exercising 50% of her power. This disadvantage has to happen to the society in the long run. We combine women's energies to advance society, and this is where the wisdom lies. If efforts are made consistently and in a planned manner, positive results can be attained.”
"The society will profit if it makes use of the enormous power that women possess. In order to maximise the strength that women possess, initiatives like Women Empowerment and Achievement should be maintained. People who are conscious can accomplish a lot of work if they band together, coordinate their efforts, and include numerous sisters", she added.
Usha said, "Education gained a distinct dimension after the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi. He freed the women confined within the four walls and joined the free flow in the freedom struggle and doors to education began to open. We know the achievements of educated women. Today, there is no greater pride than having a woman as the President of India.”
Book launch of 'Whisper of my Hearts'
Dr. Jayshree Shah, the author of 'Whisper of my Hearts', said, “The first launch of book was done in Mumbai on my 75th birthday. The book is self-published with only 350 copies. It is dedicated to my late mother who is a spiritual soul. The book is created to raise the funds for blind people. And most important, I want to leave a legacy for my grandchildren and family. The journey is very challenging and it's a self-discovery. It's a human experience with an authentic voice of within, is through the emotions. And the journey is with the nature, rainbow, birds, animals, cosmos, and the stars and the joy and in the pain and the pleasure and the stories of all human beings.”
“This is an outlet of a medical professional as well. There's a lot of vulnerability, emotions, empathy, compassion. It was basically a fun time and the curiosity and the time passed in the retirement. It’s not a one person's work. It's teamwork. There is an unflinching and unconditional support from the inception to the end of my husband who has helped me all the way. I think readers have been very enthusiastic and given me immense warmth and the love for this book, which was beyond any of my expectations. But most important, there is a philanthropic cause behind it. I want to raise funds for the blind people. We have UK based charity and through various ways we have raised money up to 200,000 pounds so far, my friends and family have raised up to 7,000 pounds, but a lot of confidence has been given by CB Patel to raise more and more money. India accounts for 62% of the total blind people in the world and more than 7.4 million people in India suffer blindness due to cataract and 80 per cent of it can be cured by a simple surgery.”
Spiritual Director of Khando Ling Buddhist Centre, Gordon Ellis said, “Jayshree offers us a beautiful fragrant garland that poems, that let go and immerse yourself to abandon the critical faculty and open your heart. The Poems nurture, inspire, and encourage us to aspire to a bountiful life well lived. These poems exemplify the attitude and disposition we can all benefit from cultivating and becoming enriched thereby. It remind us of our oneness with all other sentient beings and with the cosmos, and call upon us to let go, and rediscover our authentic self. These poems are truly the act of a loving mother showing her unconditional love for all.”
Management Trainer, David Morton said, “ I've seen a letter from 10 Downing Street, where the Prime Minister and his wife have acknowledged receipt of the book, and have acknowledged what an incredible act of human kindness the fundraising for positive side has been, and is appreciated by many. But looking through all the feedback, many of the words used by the writers are words like inspiring, uplifting, charming. But the comments that stood out to me that people have written who've seen the book are words such as giving wings to one's imagination, well penned in from the heart, topical and relevant, and my pillow book.”
Group editor, Mahesh Liloriya said, “The book written by Jayshreeben Shah is an inspiring and a special poem book which invites you to shed tears of pain and joy, but also to travel through nature. The cosmos and along the way, meet the squirrels rainbow in Soul with the whispers and words. I urge you, all of you to contribute to this noble cause and as CB sir said we are committed to community and all the noble causes uplift the community.”
Executive Director Nandini Raval and General Secretary Bhushan Punani from Blind People Association (BPA) praised author Jayshree Shah and her philanthropy work.
Founder of Positive Sight Charity, Dr. Rajnikant Shah gave vote of thanks.
