The Republic Day celebration organised by Awaz-e-Khwateen in collaboration with Jamia Tul Banatal Islamia, Shaheen Bagh, was a truly enriching experience. The programme featured meaningful interactions with women and girls, along with a speech competition that encouraged thoughtful expression and confidence. Overall, the event was highly informative, engaging, and deeply inspiring.
The tricolour unfurled against the morning sky at Zayed Girls College in Shaheen Bagh. Yet this Republic Day carried more than ceremonial pride—it brought a challenge, a platform, and a question directed at young women: What does the Constitution mean to you?
Awaz-e-Khwateen: A Platform Built on Purpose
Awaz-e-Khwateen, a grassroots organisation led by Muslim women, marked India’s 77th Republic Day by inviting students to express their own voices rather than listening to speeches from above. The event gathered around 1,000 girl students, 30 faculty members, the college principal, and guests of honour Mr Aqil Nafees, Joint Director of Parliament, and Dr Parveen, convenor of Awaz-e-Khwateen.
The message was clear—democracy thrives when citizens understand their rights, and young women must be equipped to claim their rightful place in that process.
Competition as a Catalyst
The Republic Day Speech Competition became the heart of the programme. Students spoke on constitutional rights, social justice, and inclusive development. The organisers sought more than polished delivery—they looked for critical thinking, personal conviction, and the courage to imagine a better India.
Cash prizes added meaning to the recognition: ₹5,000 for first place, ₹3,000 for second, and ₹2,000 for third. These were not mere tokens but affirmations that the talent and leadership of young women deserve tangible appreciation.
Empowerment Through Literacy
Awaz-e-Khwateen’s work rests on the belief that awareness precedes action. The organisation focuses on legal literacy, education, and leadership development within Muslim women’s communities, and this event reflected that mission in practice.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Parveen emphasised that educated and aware girls form the backbone of a strong democracy. When women understand their rights, families grow stronger and communities become more resilient—simple logic with profound implications.
The principal of Zayed Girls College appreciated the organisation’s consistent efforts in building platforms that inspire confidence and civic responsibility among students. Such collaborations between educational institutions and community groups show how national values can be nurtured through local action.
Coordination and Collaboration
Behind the event were Miss Yusra Siddiqui and Miss Tooba, coordinator and co-coordinator from Awaz-e-Khwateen, whose efforts ensured the programme ran smoothly and that students felt supported. The organisation also felicitated the college principal and coordinators, acknowledging that empowerment is a collective effort.
Democracy in Practice
What made this celebration meaningful was its refusal to treat Republic Day as a mere ritual. The flag-hoisting ceremony opened the event, but what followed was an exercise in real democratic participation. Students were not passive listeners; they became active participants in a conversation about what the Republic promises and demands.
Public speaking, critical thinking, and civic awareness are practical tools that prepare young women to navigate and shape the society they inherit. Awaz-e-Khwateen’s approach shows that empowerment begins in school halls where students learn to voice their understanding of justice and equality.
The Architects of Progress
The programme concluded with students carrying a renewed sense of responsibility. The message was not that they would become leaders someday—it was that they already are, and their participation matters today.
Awaz-e-Khwateen believes that informed women are the architects of a progressive India. This Republic Day at Zayed Girls College offered a glimpse of that vision—young women given a stage, encouragement, and recognition to build the future.
As the tricolour continued to wave, another symbol had risen beside it—the conviction that constitutional values live only when young citizens, especially young women, are empowered to defend them.