The women-led initiative celebrated its fifth anniversary at India Habitat Centre, honouring SHG leaders and reaffirming its commitment to inclusive development

Sangini Saheli, a women-led grassroots initiative focused on social empowerment, marked its fifth anniversary. Founded in 2020, the initiative has grown into a network of self-help groups (SHGs), youth collectives, and community programmes aimed at enabling women’s leadership, education, and livelihood access.

The event was curated by Priyal Bhardwaj, Founder of Sangini Saheli and General Secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha, Delhi. In her address, she reflected on the organisation’s journey over the past five years. “This journey has never been about charity—it’s been about solidarity. From one Saheli to thousands, we’ve proven that when women are trusted to lead, entire communities thrive,” she said, adding that empowerment must be supported by infrastructure rooted in trust, systems, and sustained people engagement.

The celebration brought together public figures and supporters from diverse fields. Chief Guest Shri Baijayant Panda, National Vice President of the BJP and Member of Parliament from Kendrapada, Odisha, lauded the initiative’s ground-level work and praised its alignment with the national vision of Viksit Bharat. Emphasising the transformative role of women in India’s development, he noted that SHG participants and urban grassroots leaders are not just beneficiaries but agents of change.

Among the dignitaries present were Bansuri Swaraj, Member of Parliament from New Delhi; Dr. Neerja Bhatla, Padma Shri awardee and leading gynaecologist; Ananya Goenka, Founder of Udaan Trust; and actress Hrishitaa Bhatt. The event featured cultural performances by students of Sanskrit Bharti, a curated exhibition showcasing SHG-led enterprises, a screening of the impact film Sangini Saheli Through the Years, and felicitation of educators, student achievers, and SHG leaders.

Bhardwaj noted that the milestone celebration was also a moment to look forward. “Today, as we celebrate five incredible years, I’m filled with gratitude for every woman who believed in herself and in our mission. This journey is just the beginning, and together, we will continue to build a stronger, more inclusive future,” she said.

The initiative’s roadmap includes expanding its presence into rural belts, increasing livelihood and skilling interventions, and further institutionalising youth participation in development efforts.