Inspiring Women, Inspiring Futures: This Jalandhar College marks International Women’s Day

Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA), Jalandhar marked International Women’s Day with great enthusiasm and reverence, dedicating the celebration to Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairperson, Apeejay Stya and Svran Group and Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, whose life and work represent the ideals of empowered womanhood, visionary leadership, and commitment to education. 

The celebration was graced by Ms. Akarshi Jain (IPS), Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police-1, Jalandhar, as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Sucharita Sharma, Director, Apeejay Education, Jalandhar, attended as the Guest of Honour. Welcoming the distinguished guests, Principal Dr. Neerja Dhingra expressed her gratitude for their presence and noted that the visit of a dynamic and accomplished IPS officer like Ms. Jain serves as a powerful source of inspiration for students to pursue excellence with courage and determination. She also warmly acknowledged the guidance and leadership of Dr. Sucharita Sharma in strengthening the academic stature of Apeejay institutions.

In her address, Dr. Dhingra highlighted that Apeejay College of Fine Arts stands as a shining example of the enduring journey of women empowerment. She emphasised that the institution’s legacy has been shaped by the visionary ideals of Mrs. Rajeshwari Paul, the inspiring leadership of Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia, and the progressive outlook of Dr. Neha Berlia. Their collective vision, she noted, has enabled the institution to achieve national recognition while continuing its pursuit of academic and cultural excellence.

The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the sacred lamp, symbolising knowledge, enlightenment, and empowerment. A documentary depicting the inspiring life journey of Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia was also screened, highlighting her remarkable contributions to education and society.

Adding a special dimension to the celebration, several distinguished alumni of the college who have excelled in diverse professional fields were felicitated for their outstanding achievements. The honoured alumni included Ms. Advita Tiwari, a leading businesswoman; Ms. Reebhumika, Global Customer Experience Manager at FedEx, Gurugram; Ms. Nandita Kakkar, Sustainability Consultant at KPMG, Bengaluru; Ms. Jyotika Verma, a renowned dancer; Ms. Nisha Pameh, an accomplished vocalist; Ms. Anshika, Owner and Creative Head in the field of Design and Applied Arts; Ms. Manpuneet from Design and Applied Arts; and Ms. Swati Marwaha, Clinical Head (Pediatrics) at Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance.

Expressing their gratitude, the alumni shared that the confidence, mentorship of faculty members, and opportunities to showcase their talents during their college years played a vital role in shaping their careers and enabling them to achieve success in their respective fields.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Ms. Akarshi Jain spoke about the increasing participation of women in leadership roles. She observed that while women entered the police services in limited numbers during the 1970s, today nearly 30–40 percent of IPS officers are women, reflecting significant progress towards gender equality. Encouraging students to pursue their ambitions fearlessly, she emphasised that determination and self-belief can make any goal attainable.

The celebration also featured a powerful cultural presentation by students of the Department of Performing Arts, who presented a dance performance portraying the strength of Goddess Durga and the bravery of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, leaving the audience inspired and moved.

The programme was gracefully anchored by Ms. Rajni Kumar. Principal Dr. Neerja Dhingra also appreciated the dedicated efforts of Programme In-charges Dr. Monica Anand and Dr. Manisha Kaushal, along with Event Coordinator Dr. Payal Arora, whose meticulous planning ensured the success of the event. The celebration concluded on a note of pride and inspiration, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to empowering women and celebrating their achievements.