Janjivan Bureau/ PATNA ; Mr. Arif Mohammed Khan, Governor of Bihar, expressed his thoughts on India’s timeless message of spiritual unity and social harmony. He was speaking at a programme organised by Sulabh International and the Loomba Foundation at state capital on Sunday focusing empowerment of widows.
“The divine, the supreme soul, and the individual soul — what resides in you, resides in me. India’s greatest message to the world is oneness — Ekātmata. If we truly understand it, there will be no hatred, no violence,” he said.
He invoked Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak’s legacy, applauding Dr. Kumar Dilip and the Pathak family for continuing Sulabh’s mission with conviction.
Ravi Shankar Prasad, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), lauded Sulabh International’s global contribution to sanitation and human dignity.
“People gained access to toilets, and the vision of a Swachh Bharat began to take shape. I know how many hardships marked this journey that began in Bihar, yet Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak never faltered, never gave up. Today, Sulabh International stands as a brand celebrated not only in India but across the world,” he said.
He praised Dr. Pathak’s work with widows in Vrindavan, noting that his compassion had turned an issue of neglect into a movement of justice and humanity.
Sulabh International Social Service Organisation, in collaboration with the Loomba Foundation, celebrated the empowerment of 2,000 widows and young people in Bihar through its transformative program, Prosperity for Widows. The event, held in Patna, was graced by His Excellency Arif Mohammed Khan, Hon’ble Governor of Bihar, as the Chief Guest; Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), as the Guest of Honour; and Ms. Kanta Singh, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women India, as the Special Guest.
In a deeply moving address, Nitya Pathak, National Convener of Sulabh International, paid tribute to the sacrifice, strength, and shakti of women across generations.
“For centuries, women have given endlessly — for their families, for society — yet have rarely been given their due. It is time we recognise her shakti, and ask for her rights, her dignity, and her rightful place in the story of progress,” she added.
Lord Raj Loomba, Founder of the Loomba Foundation, expressed pride and gratitude for the collaboration with Sulabh International.
“Today we celebrate a remarkable milestone — the empowerment of 2,000 widows in Bihar. This is not just a number; it represents 2,000 lives transformed, 2,000 families given hope, and 2,000 communities touched by change,” he said.
Kanta Singh, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women India, paid tribute to Lord Loomba and shared a deeply personal story of her mother’s courage.
She emphasized that empowerment must go beyond welfare — addressing structural barriers, ensuring property rights for widows, and combating violence, both physical and digital.
“A widow must have the right to her husband’s property. Without economic independence and ownership, empowerment remains incomplete,” she asserted.
“In a changing Bihar, women will play a leading role. They must be given leadership positions in legislatures, and in every sector where decisions are made.”
Her address linked education, rights, safety, and leadership as the foundations of gender equality.
