More than 1,300 women of all ages gathered at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London – popularly known as Neasden Temple – to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 over the weekend with an inspiring programme themed “Embracing Our Identity: Protect, Strengthen, Rejoice”.
The event served as a powerful reminder of the vital roles women play in shaping communities and fostering positive change in our world. This year’s programme provided a unique platform to explore the importance of spiritual and cultural identity, inspiring confidence among women to embrace and articulate their heritage.
The event highlighted how understanding and strengthening one’s roots can help navigate modern challenges, particularly issues such as religious and cultural awareness, identity struggles, and societal integration.
The celebration unfolded through an innovative and engaging format, following “A Day in the Life of a Blogger”, where a central character took attendees on a journey of self-discovery, exploring themes of cultural identity and Hindu values.
Tulsi Vaghjiani, a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, delivered an insightful presentation sharing how her Hindu values and faith have been a source of strength, helping her overcome challenges and shaping her journey both personally and professionally.
She shared: “As the world is changing and our identity is changing, we don’t want to compete with the world; we want to be better than we were yesterday and [even] better tomorrow. Pass the baton on ladies! When you do better, you lift someone up and help them do better.”
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Rabbi Hannah Kingston, who was selected to be a United Nations Young Religious Leader in 2020; Councillor Meenal Sachdev, Founder and Director of Shiva Foundation and the first Indian woman elected to Hertsmere Borough Council; Julie Siddiqi MBE, a gender equality campaigner dedicated to interfaith relations and social action; and Nikita Morar, a talented architectural and interior designer, came together to form a diverse panel that explored themes such as faith, identity, and community cohesion.
Their personal journeys of overcoming challenges, embracing their identities, and breaking “glass ceilings” through resilience and determination inspired the audience, reinforcing the strength found in individuality as well as collective support.
A powerful pre-recorded video by Priya Mohan, an AI expert at KPMG, emphasised the importance of instilling strong values in young women, setting the stage for a thought-provoking session on the impact of AI and digital platforms in shaping spiritual and cultural identity.
The event concluded with a vibrant dance performance celebrating Hindu womanhood, followed by a special recorded message from His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.
BAPS volunteer Seema Patel shared her impressions: “This year’s International Women’s Day celebrations at Neasden Temple were a profound opportunity to reflect on our spiritual and cultural identity.
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“By understanding our roots, we empower ourselves to confidently navigate the world while staying true to our values. Thank you for delivering these key messages in an engaging and impactful manner.”
International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8 annually, was also celebrated with the same theme at 30 other BAPS mandirs and centres across the UK and in parts of Europe. BAPS said it affirmed the commitment of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj to empower and uplift every member of our society towards integrity and responsibility, confidence and kindness.
*Info: Neasden Temple
