Latest news with #RekhaSharma
Business Standard
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
NoMeansNo Presents India's Largest Platform on PoSH Compliance, Workplace Safety, and Inclusion - The 3rd National PoSH Conclave & Excellence Awards 2025
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], July 15: NoMeansNo, an initiative by the Centre for Skill Development & Training dedicated to achieving Total PoSH Compliance, proudly hosted the 3rd National PoSH Conclave & Excellence Awards 2025 at The Lalit, New Delhi. Presented in association with Nestle India, Steelcase, UCO Bank, Trilegal, Attero, Ferns N Petals (FNP), BIG FM, Yugank Media, and FITS (Federation of Industry, Trade & Service), the event brought together an unprecedented gathering of dignitaries, policymakers, legal experts, corporate leaders, HR heads, IC members, and DEI champions. It reaffirmed its status as India's largest platform for dialogue on workplace safety, inclusion, and Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) compliance. The event also featured the release of a landmark book authored by Vishal Bhasin, titled Objection Sustained, offering a comprehensive guide to top PoSH judgments and practical advice for IC members and HR leaders. Esteemed Dignitaries and Guests of Honor - Hon'ble Justice Prathiba M. Singh, High Court of Delhi (Valedictory Keynote) - Ms. Rekha Sharma, Hon'ble Member of Rajya Sabha & Former Chairperson, National Commission for Women - Dr. Rashmi Singh (IAS), Secretary, Department of Women & Child Development, GNCTD - Dr. Pavan Duggal, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India & Cyber Law Expert - Dr. Pinky Anand, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India & Former Additional Solicitor General of India (Guest of Honor) - Mr. Ajay Chaudhry (IPS), Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic), New Delhi - Mr. Amol Srivastava (IAS), District Magistrate, East Delhi & District Officer (PoSH) - Ms. Suhela Khan, Country Programme Manager, UN Women Agenda Highlights The conclave, attended by over 200 delegates, featured: * Keynote addresses & special sessions -- Setting the tone for inclusive and future- ready PoSH practices. * Book release: Objection Sustained -- Unveiling top PoSH judgments and compliance guidance. * Four power-packed panel discussions: 1. Towards a Gender-Neutral PoSH Framework -- Inclusion for all genders. 2. Leadership Accountability & Building a Safe Workplace Culture -- Emphasizing organizational responsibility. 3. Compliance in Action -- Role of Local Committees & District Officers, She-Box, and institutional collaboration. 4. PoSH in the Age of AI -- Addressing digital-age challenges and opportunities. Celebrating Excellence The event concluded with the PoSH Excellence Awards 2025, recognizing individuals and organizations making exemplary contributions to safer, more inclusive workplaces. Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Rekha Sharma, designation, "I am grateful to attend the POSH Conclave 2025 at The Lalit, New Delhi. This platform reinforces our shared commitment to safe, inclusive workplaces. Strengthening POSH implementation through awareness and accountability remains vital. I stand committed to supporting efforts that ensure dignity and more inclusive workplaces." Gaurav Thakur from Steelcase expressed, "Through our Women of Steel initiative, we're proud to champion strength, resilience, and equity at work -- values that align beautifully with the vision of the PoSH Conclave to create safer, more inclusive workplaces." Arti Bhardwaj expressed "At Nestle, we believe that creating safer, more inclusive workplaces begins with dialogue and commitment -- and the PoSH Conclave embodies both." Vishal Bhasin, Co-Founder of NoMeansNo, remarked, "Workplace safety and inclusion are not just compliance checkboxes -- they are cornerstones of human dignity. This Conclave is not only a dialogue but a call to action for organizations and individuals to move beyond policies and truly embody these values." NoMeansNo is a Centre for Skill Development & Training initiative and India's leading advocate for Total PoSH Compliance. It provides training, awareness, and resources to foster workplace safety and inclusion. Over three editions, the National PoSH Conclave & Excellence Awards has become the country's most influential platform in this space.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rahul Gandhi should stand by victim's family, not do politics: MP Rekha Sharma on Balasore self-immolation case
BJP MP and former National Commission for Women (NCW) chief, Rekha Sharma , on Tuesday called the Balasore student's death a serious matter and blamed the college for not acting on her complaint. Earlier in the day, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences ( AIIMS ) Bhubaneswar confirmed the death of the 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation in protest over sexual harassment by her teacher. Responding to Rahul Gandhi 's criticism of the BJP, Sharma urged Gandhi to support the victim's family instead of politicising the matter. She also questioned the Congress party's silence on crimes against women in West Bengal and Congress-ruled states. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Building Automation Systems Software Cost Might Surprise you Automation Systems | Search Ads Undo Speaking to ANI, Rekha Sharma said, "This is a very serious matter. There was negligence on the part of the college for not acting on the student's complaint. Instead of doing politics on such issues, Rahul Gandhi should stand by the victim's family. I have never heard Rahul and Priyanka speak against atrocities against women in West Bengal. They remain quiet when such incidents happen in Congress-ruled states. It is important that we all stand together on matters of safety and security of women." Sharma's remarks come after Rahul Gandhi had earlier called the student's death an "organised murder by the BJP's system," blaming the government for failing to protect her. Live Events Gandhi alleged that the student, who set herself on fire after facing sexual harassment, was subjected to repeated threats, torments and humiliation instead of receiving justice. In a post on X, LoP Gandhi wrote, "The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP's system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment, but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her." The LoP accused the BJP government of shielding the accused and called on Prime Minister Modi to break his silence, ensuring safety and justice for the daughters of India. "As always, the BJP's system continued to shield the accused and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire. This is not suicide; it is an organised murder by the system. Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur, the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you? You remain silent. The country doesn't need your silence; it needs answers. India's daughters need safety and justice," the post reads. On Monday, the Department of Burn Centre, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said in a statement that the patient was brought to the casualty on July 12 and was referred from Balasore District Headquarters Hospital to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire on Saturday after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College.
Indian Express
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
The rape incident in Kolkata's law college is a dark moment — it should also be a turning point
The alleged gang rape of a 24-year-old law student inside a Kolkata college campus is not merely a tragic anomaly — it is a grim indictment of a state system that increasingly fails to protect the vulnerable, especially women. Allegedly involving a former Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) leader and taking place in the guardroom near the student union office, this act of brutality unfolded in what should have been a space of safety and community. Only months earlier, a postgraduate trainee at R G Kar Medical College was raped and murdered. While the CBI eventually concluded that it was the act of a lone individual, public outrage and the victim's father's remarks revealed a deeper fear: That institutional spaces in West Bengal are becoming dangerously unsafe, and that politics often shields the guilty. One of the most alarming aspects of the law college incident is the alleged involvement of an ex-TMCP leader — a reminder of how political affiliations can enable a sense of impunity. Even as the ruling party publicly condemned the act and sought distance, its silence on the broader issue of student safety and political interference speaks volumes. West Bengal's crime rate against women in 2022 stood at 71.8 per lakh population, significantly higher than the national average of 66.4. Conviction rates remain worryingly low. While Kolkata has been ranked the 'safest city' statistically, Rekha Sharma, then chairperson of the National Commission for Women, rightly pointed out that underreporting and police inaction — due to political pressure — distort the picture. Student union elections — which once served as a training ground for democratic values — have been suspended in most colleges across the state for over a decade. In their absence, political proxies often fill the vacuum. These unelected groups, backed by ruling-party networks, consolidate informal authority without accountability. This dynamic is especially dangerous in institutions of higher learning, where dissent, student safety, and democratic governance are critical. The Calcutta High Court recently directed the state's higher education department to draw up a roadmap for holding these elections, calling out the long-standing statutory failure. Yet without active political will and monitoring, any such roadmap risks remaining on paper. To understand this ecosystem, political theorist Dwaipayan Bhattacharyya's concept of 'franchisee politics' is instructive. According to him, West Bengal's ruling party sustains itself not only through electoral victories but through territorial micro-control by local power brokers. These 'franchisees' operate under the umbrella of 'Brand Mamata,' delivering services, extracting rents, and managing dissent at the grassroots level. Such franchisees often act outside legal frameworks. In many cases, their power depends not just on their proximity to the party, but on their ability to intimidate, suppress opposition, and monopolise resources. Educational institutions, particularly those lacking independent oversight, become easy targets. In recent years, reports have detailed how TMC leaders or affiliates have issued threats, made misogynistic remarks, or enabled intimidation to silence dissent or critics. This culture, especially when allowed to fester in youth politics, sends a clear message: Loyalty is rewarded, while wrongdoing is rarely punished. While much attention is rightly placed on political complicity, it's vital to also view these incidents through a gendered lens. Sexual violence is not only a political failure but a structural outcome of entrenched patriarchy. When male-dominated institutions — whether political, educational, or legal — treat women's bodies as collateral damage in power struggles, violence becomes normalised. Rape is not just an act of lust or anger; it is often an assertion of dominance, enabled by systemic failures and cultural silence. Unless both patriarchy and political capture are addressed together, safety reforms will remain cosmetic. The safety of students — and of women in general — cannot be restored without urgent and tangible reforms. For one, regular student union elections ought to be reinstated across the state and they should be monitored by independent bodies to ensure legitimacy and transparency. Second, the police must be guaranteed autonomy to investigate cases without political interference. There need to be empowered internal complaints committees and crisis cells in all higher educational institutions, staffed by gender-sensitised professionals. There must also be a public commitment to zero tolerance for politically affiliated violence, with action against those who use party connections to intimidate or coerce. Survivors must also be empowered by improving access to legal aid, mental health support, and fast-track courts. The alleged gang rape in Kolkata's law college is a dark moment — but it should also be a turning point. If West Bengal wishes to remain a state that values education, equity, and justice, it must break the grip of informal power networks and reestablish the rule of law within its institutions. Anything less would betray not just the victims, but the future of its youth. The writer is a political anthropologist and teaches at Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Government College, Kolkata.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP women wing holds mock Parl on 50 years of Emergency
1 2 Kanpur: The Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing in the Kanpur region organised a grand mock Parliament event at the Kanpur University auditorium. The programme began with the lighting of a lamp by the chief guest, Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma, regional president Prakash Pal, minister Rajni Tiwari, and legislator Pratibha Shukla. On this occasion, a special exhibition based on the Emergency was also inaugurated by Rekha Sharma and Prakash Pal. Addressing the inaugural session, they said that on June 25, 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi undermined the Constitution, crippling all major democratic institutions--the legislature, executive, judiciary, and the media. Thousands of opposition leaders were imprisoned under MISA and DIR, and censorship was forcibly imposed on the media. They emphasised the need for women to understand this history and question the moral grounds of those who cite the Constitution today. Prakash Pal questioned whether the Congress still justifies the Emergency or acknowledges it as a violation of the Constitution. As 50 years have passed, the public deserves to know whether Congress leaders will apologise if the Emergency was wrong or explain the rationale behind its imposition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ai probleme cu picioarele umflate vara? Acești pantofi sunt soluția! Cumpără acum Undo The first session of the mock parliament commenced, with legislator Pratibha Shukla, acting as the prime minister, presenting a proposal stating, "The Emergency was the darkest chapter in Indian democracy and requires serious discussion in the House. " The entire assembly supported the proposal by voice vote. In the role of the opposition leader, Women's Commission member Poonam Dwivedi argued that the Emergency was imposed under Article 352, but political motives were predominant. She questioned the decision's legitimacy and criticised the ruling party sharply. Both sessions of the mock parliament saw intense debates between the ruling and opposition sides. The ruling side included Uttar Pradesh minister Rajni Tiwari, legislators Om Mani Verma, district council president Swapnil Varun, legislators Manisha Anuragi, Poonam Sankhwar, former state vice-president of the women's wing Ranjana Upadhyay, Farrukhabad district council president Monika Yadav, block heads Vijay Ratna Tomar, and Anuradha Awasthi, among others. On the opposition side, Women's Commission members effectively presented their arguments and questioned the ruling party's policies. Throughout the sessions, there were several disruptions, which were managed with restraint and firmness by mayor Pramila Pandey, acting as the speaker in the first session, and legislator Neelima Katiyar in the second session. At one point, the proceedings were adjourned.
India Gazette
25-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Democracy was imprisoned": RS MP Rekha Sharma remembers horrors of Emergency on its 50th anniversary
New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): As the Centre marks the 50th anniversary of the Emergency as 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas', Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma on Wednesday said that the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi turned the entire country into a prison in order to save her power. In a post on X, Sharma, who was the former Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, said Democracy was imprisoned, the Constitution was trampled, and millions of patriots were thrown into jails on this day in 1975. 'June 25, 1975. That night, when the soul of India was crushed. Democracy was imprisoned, the Constitution was trampled, and millions of patriots were thrown into jails. In order to save her power, Indira Gandhi turned the entire country into a prison,' she said on X. Remembering the horrors of the emergency, she said, 'This wasn't Emergency. It was tyranny. A dictatorship masked as governance. 50 years on, we remember the horrors, we honour the resistance and we vow NEVER AGAIN.' The Emergency, declared on this day in 1975, remains one of the darkest chapters in India's post-independence history. Fundamental rights were suspended, press freedoms curtailed, and democratic institutions were silenced. In 2024, the Government of India officially notified June 25 as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas to ensure that this critical period is not forgotten and the sanctity of democracy is consistently upheld. The Union Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Delhi government, will commemorate Samvidhan Hatya today at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi, marking 50 years since the imposition of Emergency in India in 1975. The solemn occasion will serve as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding democratic values and constitutional rights. Union Minister Amit Shah will flag off the 'Long Live Democracy Yatra' by MYBharat volunteers. The Yatra will travel across the country to spread awareness about constitutional values, democratic rights, and the lessons from the Emergency. (ANI)
