Hyderabad, Oct 20: Union Minister of Women and Child Welfare, Smriti Zubin Irani, delivered a compelling address at the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) in Hyderabad, emphasizing the importance of treating failures and successes with equal respect.
Irani shared insights into her personal journey, stating, “Your failures define your path forward, and your successes mark the culmination of your efforts. Therefore, it is wise to treat success and failure alike.”
Discussing the Women’s Reservation Bill, Irani lauded the foresight of the nation’s founding leaders and expressed regret at the time it took for this vision to materialize. She reassured attendees that the bill’s introduction did not diminish the rights of men.
Irani commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership and highlighted his track record in keeping promises, such as building the Ram Mandir without taxpayer money. She also noted significant progress in financial inclusion and critiqued the Gallup Hunger Index for its reliance on a small sample size.
Addressing the role of women, Irani stressed that nobody has the right to treat women as inferior and urged women not to embrace victimhood but to stand up for their equal status.
When questioned about her prospects of becoming Prime Minister, Irani deflected the question. She expressed belief in women’s leadership capabilities, citing the low NPAs of self-help group leaders.
As an actress turned politician, Irani shared that she most enjoys being herself. She listed numerous accomplishments, including her commitment to work, such as returning to the office on the third day after giving birth.
In response to a question about the dual nature of technology, Irani emphasized the need to teach responsible technology usage to children.
The discussion was moderated by journalist and author Sriram Karri. Earlier, Ritu Shah, Chairperson of FLO Hyderabad, stressed the pivotal role women play in shaping India’s future.
Highlighting FLO Hyderabad Chapter’s initiatives, Shah spotlighted their support for the revival of Telia Rumal Weave, an endangered craft of Telangana.
