SHAKTI

SHAKTI- the National Movement for Women is formed with a great determination of uniting the women of India for a creative purpose.  Beyond the so-called slogans of feminism and equality fights, SHAKTI believes in mutual love, recognition and appreciation based on the sacred ‘Ardhanareeswara Sankalpam’.  Upholding the sanctity of Indian womanhood it aspires for re-awakening the intellectual and creative potential of women.  Without succumbing to the unhealthy aspects of the western materialistic culture, which is generally accepted as modern, SHAKTI urges our women to come out of their shells through self reliance.

SHAKTI, headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, was inspired by Vijnana Bharati, which is essentially a science movement with the motto “Science and Technology for social harmony”, and aims at national resurgence and development.  The development of a society depends entirely on the development of women, for it is they who mould the character and future of the younger generation. Without uplifting the social status of women the concept of ‘social harmony’ will be meaningless.   Hence SHAKTI focuses on the upliftment of women by empowering them in four significant areas- social, intellectual, cultural and economic. 

Ideology and Objectives

Opportunity for acquiring the right kind of education alone will make our women realize their inner potential.  The right kind of education will inculcate in them a spirit of our culture and values.  Intellectual empowerment would instill confidence in them and enable them to be responsible citizens playing complementary roles in family as well as in society. Empowering women in social, intellectual, economical and cultural fields and thus generating self confidence in them for the service of the family, society and the nation is the goal of SHAKTI.  This goal is to be achieved through the right and proper application of science and technology.

Social wing

Social empowerment of women is of utmost significance in the present context of wrong interpretations of development and modernization.  Today women confront various social evils, discriminations and exploitations in their day-to-day life. In the High Ranges and coastal villages, our sisters work unorganized and lead unrecognized ‘invisible’ lives.  Even the educated women have not really comprehended the right meaning or spirit of social empowerment. 

SHAKTI brings together scientists, sociologists, academicians, administrators, advocates, housewives, students and women from all walks of life, and as a team works for realizing the goals of social empowerment. 

To this end, SHAKTI conducts awareness programmes and classes on different social issues and attempts to evolve practical means to solve or eliminate them.  The activities comprise of free legal and psychological counseling, research and consultancy on analyzing social issues and approaching concerned government agencies to help solve crucial social problems.   

Intellectual wing

It is only through awakening the intellectual potential of our women, can we arrive at solutions to the current social problems.  Even when women occupy power positions, they fail to unite and emerge as an intellectual force for the development of the country.  Women’s participation in nation building has to be assured.  They should be made aware of national and international policy changes and how such changes affect their lives.  SHAKTI strives to make women intellectually capable of guiding the family as well as the nation with motherly kindness and concern. 

Cultural wing

The cultural honesty of a society has its roots in the hearts of our mothers.  It is the mothers who transmit the essence of culture, tradition and heritage of a nation from generation to generation.  The spirit of culture can never be acquired from text books or from scholarly writings.  It can only be transmitted from one heart to another.  With this idea in mind SHAKTI holds classes, counseling sessions, camps and other such programmes. 

Economic wing

The economic stability of a nation ultimately depends on the economic status of a family.  The financial self sufficiency of a family can be achieved only through the collective effort of both men and women.  The economic empowerment of women establishes their dignity, self esteem and social status which will make them actively participate hand in hand with men in the great task of nation building.  To this end, SHAKTI conducts programmes like income-generating ventures among women, training programmes, market surveys, research and promotes mini-industries, product marketing etc.