In Indian tradition, three significant manifestations of the Goddess representing truth, knowledge and happiness are revered out of her nine forms. In Saturday’s Mission Shakti event, held a day before Navratri, special guests Padma Shri Hema Prabha Sotia, ISRO scientist Ritu Karidhal Srivastava and HCL chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra were honoured, symbolising these three goddess-like qualities, said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday.

“Their presence in the event epitomises women’s empowerment and underscores the belief that with persistent effort, anything is achievable,” he added.

The chief minister expressed these sentiments at a felicitation ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in Lucknow where women who have made extraordinary contributions in diverse fields were honoured.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath commenced the event by presenting mementoes to the three distinguished women guests on the stage.

Chief Minister Yogi emphasised the inspiring presence of ISRO scientist Karidhal Srivastava, a daughter of Lucknow, during the event. He highlighted that her success underscores the notion that nothing is unattainable; it’s a matter of effort and determination.

The chief minister pointed out that Padma Shri Hema Prabha Sotia, dedicated to connecting the North and the South, communicated her message in Assamese, demonstrating that language should not be a barrier to expressing our feelings. Her dedication to handicrafts showcased empowerment, he added.

Roshni Nadar Malhotra, the HCL chairperson, was lauded for her significant contributions to the industry and through social work. Her success shows abundant possibilities across various fields, emphasising the importance of timely choices and dedicated pursuits.

Chief Minister Yogi highlighted the government’s initiative, Mission Shakti, which commenced in 2020 to ensure safety, dignity and self-reliance of women. He noted that there was a substantial increase in women’s recruitment within the Uttar Pradesh Police, reaching 40,000 from the initial 10,000 women personnel from 1947 to 2017. He attributed this to the success of Mission Shakti, leading to a noticeable decline in crimes against women, according to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data.