Thaindian News

New York, Sep 21 (IANS) A power meet of world’s First Ladies and prominent women here heard a call from India’s Art of Living founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, to those who love fashion to take up a mission of development.

“Fashions change because that is their nature but mission stays. If all the women who love fashion can take up a mission of development of our planet, we will be able to give a better world to our coming generations,” he said in a video message.

The message of the popular spiritual guru, who has followers worldwide, rang with the theme of Monday’s event: “Giving Back is the New Luxury”.

“A woman is the heart of a family. She brings people together. So she is also the heart of society. If she is empowered, there will be progress,” said Bhanumathi Narasimhan, director, Women Empowerment and Child Care Projects of The Art of Living.

Speaking at the session on ‘Women Connect for Health - Connecting the Dots for the health MDGs and NCDs’, Bhanumathi who is also the sister of Shankar, said: “I was shocked to learn that 30 percent of women are suffering from depression all around the world. Spirituality is necessary now.

“Spirituality, according to me, is caring for each other, having a sense of belongingness and a sharing attitude.”
The conference, organized by Advanced Development for Africa (ADA), The United Nations Digital Health Initiative, The ITU Women Network in ICT (WITNET), drew attention to the role of fashion in creating economic growth in developing countries.

The conference brought together first ladies and key players in fashion, diplomacy, media, business and the creative industries to celebrate the power of fashion to empower women in implementing creative strategies for sustainable economic growth and independence in support of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.