â€œMan has muscle but woman has heart. I can be anything that a man can be, but a man cannot a mother.â€ Kiran Bedi, Lt. Governor of Puducherry, told AAPI delegates at the prestigious Womenâ€™s Forum during the 10th annual Global healthcare Summit at Radisson Blu Hotel auditorium, Udaipu, India on December 28, 2016. Organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) the Womenâ€™s Forum had a galaxy of successful women, who shared with the delegates their own stories of growing up and facing challenges with conviction and courage, and have today become role models for other women around the world. Sonal Kalra, Chief Editor of Hindustan Times, Entertainment Magazine, moderated the Forum.

While sharing her own lifeâ€™s story, Kiran Bedi said, â€œAs a child, I grew up hearing an absolutely revolutionary statement from my parents: â€˜Kiran, you are no less than anyone in the world. Both you and your brother are the equal,â€™â€ Stating that women are no less than men, Bedi told the AAPI delegates that the difference is the access to opportunities. â€œIf you have the right kind of opportunities, and do not use them, only you are to blame. â€œI was able to work and succeed in a menâ€™s world.â€ she told the audience.

â€œWhen you have equal opportunity, both men and women will be the same. The difference is how to use your opportunities and how you are able to generate positive energy around you,â€ she told a cheering audience. Her advice to women was, â€œRise above the gender biases. If I am doing better today, I can contribute to make the world a better place for all, in the process bettering yourself each and every day so that you can change your perception and make yourself better than othersâ€¦â€

Amrita Fadnavis, Co-Chair of the Womenâ€™s Forum, and the Vice President of AXIS Bank, shared with the enthusiastic audience about her own life. â€œFrom early in life, my parents stressed on individuality. I was able to grow up with boys and shared equal responsibilities,â€ she said. Describing that a turning point came in her life, after her marriage to the current Chief Minister of the state of Maharastra, Mr. Fadnavis.

â€œWhile I was already working before marriage. And I liked to continue my work and music in spite of people pushing me to give up job. Itâ€™s been a great journey for me and I never wanted to give up my identity and my job helps me stay connected with people and the latest in my area of work. Itâ€™s about your conviction, confidence and realizing your values. It make a huge difference,â€ she said. Describing that woman is a multi-tasker, who can be a mother, wife, career-oriented and many more, Fadnavis said, â€œWhen you study woman, you know how talented they are. The importance of woman comes when you realize the importance of homemaker.â€

Zeenat Aman, Bollywood Actress, said that she comes from a woman-centric family. â€œFrom eary on in life, my mother convinced me that there isnâ€™t anything that you can not do. Its all about having faith and resilience,â€ she said. Her suggestion to all women was; â€œGive 100 percent of yourself to everything that you do; as a mother, daughter and at work. I have tried to be a mother to my children in the same was my mother has been to be.â€ Looking at the men in the packed auditorium, the Bollywood star said, â€œAll mothers have to be deeply respected.â€

Dr. Madhu Aggarwal, AAPIâ€™s BOT Chair, shared of her experiences growing up in a family with her three sisters, all of them, having worked hard and have been able to become Physicians. â€œMy parents insisted on the need for education and that paid off.â€ Stating that she is well liked by staff and patients she serves in the US, Dr. Aggarwal said, Itâ€™s all due to my hard work, being polite, humble, and discipline. I have a busy practice. And I am able to give back to the community. I have been inducted into the Hall of Fame in US, which is a rare honor for any Indian American.â€

Veenu Gupta, Principal Secretary, Health, Government of Rajasthan, said, how through hard work and dedication, she was able to become what she is today. â€œBut the crown was full of thorns,â€ she said. â€œPeople need to understand and recognize the need to give up the discriminatory traditions,â€ she said.
Dr. Ratna Jain, Former Mayor of Kota, Brahma Kumari Chakradari of the Brahma Kumari Foundation, Dr. Savita of the Brahma Kumari Foundation, Dr. Shabnam Singh of the Max Institute; Preeti Malhotra of the SMART Group; Dr. Udhaya Shivanghi, Chair of AAPIâ€™s Womenâ€™s Forum were other panelists who addressed the audience and spoke about the noble initiatives they have undertaken, after having overcome many initial challges from family, society and cultural groups, and how they have become successful in life.

The Forum had a brief discussion with special focus on addressing Child and Maternal health. The all women experts panel, had prominent women leaders from various fields including, Hospital CEOâ€™s, Academicians, Leading Researchers, Healthcare Industry, Government, Public Health, Media, Bollywood and others.
During a lively Question and Answer session, panelist offered insightful responses to questions from both men and women from the audience. You do what is your duty to do. Donâ€™t wait for acceptability,â€ Kiran Bedi said, â€œYou do not have the right to change othersâ€™ attitude but when you continue doing what is your duty and recognition will come at the end.â€

Captions:
1. Kiran Bedi, Lt. Governor of Puducherry, being honored by AAPIâ€™s Executive Committee members, Dr. Ajay Lodha, Dr. Gautam samadder, Dr. Madhu Aggarwal, and Dr. Manju Sachdev
2. Zeenat Aman, Bollywood Actress, being honored with a plaque
3. Amrita Fadnavis, Co-Chair of the Womenâ€™s Forum, and the Vice President of AXIS Bank, being honored by AAPI
4. AAPIâ€™s Womenâ€™s Forum at part of the Global Healthcare Summit 2016 in Udaipur, India had a galaxy of successful women leaders from India and abroad

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Galaxy of Women Leaders Address AAPIâ€™s Womenâ€™s Forum during GHS in Udaipur â€œMan has muscle but woman has heart,â€ Kiran Bedi tells AAPI delegates

Galaxy of Women Leaders Address AAPIâ€™s Womenâ€™s Forum during GHS in Udaipur â€œMan has muscle but woman has heart,â€ Kiran Bedi tells AAPI delegates