New Delhi: The NewsX We Women Want Conclave and Shakti Awards 2025 became a powerful stage for stories of resilience, leadership, and identity, as four exceptional women—IAS officer Puja Elangbam, wildlife conservationist Dr. Purnima Devi Barman, filmmaker Rima Das, and Lt. Gen. Dr. Sadhana Senanayake—shared journeys that broke barriers and redefined representation.
Moderated by Diksha Chopra, the Northeast panel spotlighted the region’s strength and self-determination. Puja Elangbam, Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur, spoke of leading rehabilitation for over 10,000 displaced persons in Manipur, empowering women-led microenterprises in the wake of communal violence. Dr. Purnima Devi Barman, the “Hargila Baideu,” detailed her grassroots movement to save the endangered greater adjutant stork, mobilizing over 20,000 Assamese women through her Hargila Army. National award-winning filmmaker Rima Das recalled her shift from aspiring actor to director after facing identity bias in Mumbai, creating globally acclaimed films rooted in her homeland’s culture.
In a separate session, Lt. Gen. Dr. Sadhana Senanayake—the first woman to serve as Director General, Medical Services (Army)—reflected on a life shaped by the credo of “service before self.” Growing up in a military household, she rose through a series of firsts, from Director General Hospital Services to Principal Medical Officer in two commands, before reaching her current post. She praised the armed forces’ gender-neutral meritocracy and urged young women to embrace military careers for their unmatched lessons in leadership, courage, and teamwork.
Both panels delivered a unified message: true empowerment comes from visibility, participation, and commitment. Whether in the remote villages of Assam, the conflict zones of Manipur, the cinematic landscape of global film festivals, or the highest ranks of the Indian Army, these women have turned personal journeys into national inspiration—proving that they don’t just bridge gaps, they build the road forward.
