Team Blitz India
NEW YORK: Top UN leaders on March 8 hailed the power of India’s ‘Nari Shakti’, calling Indian women narrators of the country’s development story, according to a report by news agency PTI.
The occasion, it said, was a special event hosted by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN to mark International Women’s Day with a focus on the journey of Araku Coffee cultivated by the tribal communities in Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh.
“From finance and digital technology to health, education, space, and aviation, Indian women are the narrators of their country’s development story….India’s dedication to championing women-led development serves as an inspiring example for nations around the world,” Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly said. “Let us take inspiration from India’s commitment to advancing gender equality, empowering women, and ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a more just and equitable world,” he said, as per the news agency’s report.
Sustainable farming
The event, ‘The Role of Women in Sustainable Farming Practices: The Extraordinary Story of Araku Coffee’, put spotlight on the impactful role of women in sustainable farming practices through the story of the ‘seedto-cup’ journey of Araku Coffee. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said the link between women and sustainable farming practices in India is remarkable. “I would like to commend the Indian Government for its leadership and its commitment to advancing the food systems conservation agenda at the country level,” Mohammed said.
The event, attended by UN diplomats and senior officials, included an Araku coffeetasting experience. Coffeeologist Sherri Johns shared the journey of Araku coffee and highlighted the role played by women in its sustainable farming practices.
A living experience
Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, said on International Women’s Day “We carry forward the legacy of countless women who have paved paths in stone so future generations like ours can walk on roads paved in aspirations and dreams.” As the day celebrates the journey of empowerment, resilience and transformation led by women across the globe, Kamboj said that in India, “this journey is not just a narrative. It’s a palpable living experience that flows now through the veins of our nation, energising its spirit and guiding its steps towards sustainable growth.” Kamboj said the story of Araku coffee is an “emblem of this remarkable journey that is ongoing in India.”
