Archive · 17 Nov 2025
India's Century Hinges on Women's Empowerment, Says Neerja Chowdhury
A smart lady named Neerja Chowdhury thinks that if India does a really good job helping girls and women, the future will be super bright for them.
She noticed that in a recent election in a place called Bihar, when leaders gave money to women and made sure girls could go to school easily, it made a big difference.
She said making girls go to school instead of staying home, and raising the age when they can get married are important changes.
Leaders who help women are likely to do well.
She also talked about how one leader, Nitish Kumar, has been helping women for a long time by giving them things like bicycles to get to school and even money.
Other leaders are starting to do similar things.
She believes that helping women succeed is key for India's success in this century.
Journalist Neerja Chowdhury believes India's century can belong to women if revolutionary steps for their empowerment are taken.
Chowdhury cited Bihar elections, highlighting initiatives like compulsory girl education, raising marriage age, and financial aid to women as critical.
She noted Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's long-term 'politics of women' including bicycles for schoolgirls, job reservations, and a Rs 10,000 cash transfer scheme.
The cash transfer scheme, though criticized for being announced close to elections, reportedly empowered women and influenced family perceptions.
Chowdhury suggested that political parties focusing on women empowerment and financial aid will gain political advantage.
- Who
- Neerja Chowdhury, a journalist and political commentator
- What
- Stated that if India implements revolutionary steps for women's empowerment, this century could belong to Indian women, citing Bihar elections as an example of effective policies and cash incentives.
- When
- Sunday
- Where
- Ahmedabad International Book Festival
- Why
- Chowdhury believes that empowering women through education, increasing the age of marriage, and direct financial assistance, as exemplified by Nitish Kumar's policies in Bihar, are crucial steps for the nation's progress and women's future.
- Speaker
- Neerja Chowdhury (Journalist and Political Commentator)
- Event
- Ahmedabad International Book Festival
- Date
- Sunday
- Chowdhury's Book
- How Prime Ministers Decide (2023)
- Bihar Election Context
- Women's empowerment initiatives and cash transfers to women were significant factors.
- Nitish Kumar's Initiatives
- Bicycles for girls, increased female enrollment in schools, reservation in police and government jobs, prohibition policy, and cash transfer of Rs 10,000 to women.
- Bihar Assembly Election Result
- NDA secured 202 out of 243 seats.