Guest lecture on the occasion of International Women’s Day celebration on 8th March
Topic – “Women can play a responsible and courageous role in all types of industries”
Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Flt. Lt. Shiwalee Deshpande’s Inspiring Journey on Women’s Day 2024
March 8, 2024, Women’s Day, started with its usual celebrations, but it was Flt. Lt. Shiwalee Deshpande’s talk that truly resonated with us. A brave officer in the Indian Force, Shiwalee shared her own experiences of overcoming societal objections and personal challenges, especially when she made the bold decision to join the army instead of following the more traditional path of marriage.
Her journey, as she recounted, was filled with both external and internal battles. From facing family and societal pressure to conform to gender norms, to dealing with the self-doubt that sometimes arises in the face of criticism, Shiwalee’s story is one of courage and resilience. Her story vividly illustrated how, as a girl/woman, she could navigate a world that often questioned her choices and her place in a male-dominated profession.
However, what truly stood out was how Shiwalee used her intellect, emotional strength, and commitment to her goal in the most challenging – life threatening situations—whether on the battlefield or in her personal life.Brutal honest stories coming directly from us that it wasn’t just physical strength that mattered; it has to be a combination of skill, determination, and the refusal to back down from the goal set. It makes all the difference, not just the gender, the age, the training, the degree or things like that.
Shiwalee’s message was clear: despite the odds, women have the power to break through barriers, challenge expectations, and open doors to new worlds. Her story is a powerful reminder that true strength comes not only from overcoming external obstacles but also from refusing to be limited by self-doubt.
On this Women’s Day 2024, we celebrate women like Flt. Lt. Shiwalee Deshpande, who show us that with courage, dedication, and resilience, we can all rewrite the rules and redefine what’s possible.