Over 1,000 women students honoured at Swayamsiddha

The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU), led by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), hosted ‘Swayamsiddha 2024’ at Hindu College here on Tuesday.

The event, organised in collaboration with the ABVP and Mission Sahasi, honoured over 1,000 women students from Delhi University for their excellence in academics, sports and extracurricular activities.

Former Union Minister Smriti Irani attended as the chief guest alongside notable figures like entrepreneur Ritika Jatin Ahuja, ABVP national girls’ coordinator Manu Sharma Kataria and DUSU leaders Tushar Dedha and Aprajita.

Speaking at the event, Irani lauded ABVP’s efforts in empowering young women. “I appreciate ABVP and DUSU for organising Swayamsiddha every year. The ABVP has long been committed to empowering women, and this event is a testament to that. Women like Captain Shiva Chauhan, Prerna Diosthali and Captain Sheliza Dhami show the world what self-reliant, talented women can achieve. Nurturing entrepreneurship skills among female students is essential for the nation’s development, and I extend my support to promoting women startups through this initiative,” she said.

With the theme ‘Nari Tu Narayani’, the event saw the participation of over 1,500 students. Alongside the felicitation ceremony, several competitions such as poster-making, rangoli-making and essay writing were held.

Kataria emphasised the organisation’s focus on empowering women. “Swayamsiddha conveys a clear message that women are independent and unstoppable,” she said.

ABVP national secretary Shivangi Kharwal highlighted the organisation’s growing female membership. “Women today have the power to transform the country. I joined ABVP during Swayamsiddha in 2016, and now the organisation empowers 8 lakh girls in Delhi alone,” Kharwal said.