Gurugram (Haryana) [India], October 17: Samidha Welfare Foundation celebrated the second edition of Samidha Utsav 2026 – ‘Parwaaz: Udaan Se Aage’ on 10 October at The Tulip Clubhouse, Gurugram. The event celebrated the resilience, aspirations and voices of young girls through powerful cultural performances and community recognition.
The event was graced by the presence of Mr Sachin Gawri and Mr Shantanu Gambhir, Founders and Directors of Samidha Welfare Foundation, whose vision, commitment and continued support have been instrumental in shaping the Foundation into a meaningful platform for education and empowerment. Their belief in creating opportunities for underserved girls has laid a strong foundation for Samidha’s growth and impact. The celebration was also attended by distinguished guests Ms Vinita Malik (Veteran Television Actress), Ms Kalpana Sharma (former Additional Secretary at Lok Sabha and Member of BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry), Ms Mini Khanna (Principal, Greenfields School), Mr Shiv Kumar Kohli (Former Self-Defence Instructor associated with Delhi Police), and Dr Shobha Kulshreshtha (Retired IFS Officer). Their presence reinforced the importance of collective responsibility in advancing the cause of girl empowerment.
At the heart of Samidha’s journey stands Ms Karishma Sethi, Head of Operations, whose vision, compassionate leadership and unwavering dedication have played a pivotal role in establishing and nurturing the Foundation. From supporting just 16 girls in 2021 to nearly 100 today, she has been instrumental in building an environment where girls receive not only education but also mentorship, emotional support, confidence and opportunities for holistic development.
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Samidha Utsav is celebrated annually to provide girls with a platform to express themselves, showcase their growth and achievements, and raise their voices on issues that shape their lives and futures. It also recognises the collective efforts of educators, mentors, volunteers and supporters who contribute to their empowerment.
The evening featured seven cultural performances, of which four stood out for their powerful commentary on violence and injustice against women. Through ‘Maa Kali’, ‘Main Tujhko Nahi Chhodungi’, ‘Goddess Walk’ and a psychological horror act depicting a killer, the girls explored themes of sexual violence, abuse, murder, oppression and female rage.
Through expressive dance, theatre and storytelling, the young performers conveyed their anguish and disappointment at the continuing atrocities against women. More importantly, their performances reflected the kind of future they aspire to inhabit — one where girls and women can live with safety, dignity, freedom and equality, without fear of violence or discrimination. These performances transformed the stage into a powerful medium for social reflection and the voices of young girls.
In her keynote address, Ms Karishma Sethi reinforced the Foundation’s commitment to nurturing confident, independent and socially aware young women. Ms Neha Thureja, Chief Impact Officer, delivered the Welcome Address, while the programme was anchored by Ms Ratika Mehra from Doordarshan.
The celebration also honoured students, educators, mentors and social contributors through various awards, including Vidya Saarthi and Sahyog Saarthi. A special highlight was the Samidha Sitara 2026 Award presented to Ranjana Sahu, with the ceremonial crown passed on by Usha Katariya, the 2025 recipient of the Samidha Sitara Crown. Another significant recognition was the Samidha Shakti Award presented to Ms Bhawna Arora, acknowledging her unwavering dedication, commitment and invaluable contribution to the Foundation. Her consistent efforts in supporting the girls and strengthening the Centre’s day-to-day functioning reflect the spirit of service and responsibility that drives Samidha’s mission.
The Foundation acknowledged Ms Sandali M. Redhu of Sandalism Events, the Event Partner, for sponsoring the audio-visual arrangements, and Ms Anjali Chauhan of VLCC, the Grooming Partner, for providing makeup support for the children’s cultural performances.
Samidha Utsav 2026 reaffirmed that empowerment is not merely about educating girls, but also about listening to their voices, acknowledging their concerns and enabling them to envision and build a better society.
About Samidha Welfare Foundation: A Gurugram-based Section 8 non-profit organisation dedicated to the education, empowerment and holistic development of girls from underserved communities.
Media Contact: info@samidha.life
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