In the spirit of celebrating International Women's Day, Pallavi Joshi's infotainment show, Bharat Ki Baat delves into the sensitive issue of women empowerment this weekend. The 26-part show, Directed by Vivek Agnihotri is a positive narrative on India glorious past, ever developing present and a positive outlook into her future.

Over the upcoming episodes complex and sensitive topics around women empowerment and subsequent remedial measures through government policies are discussed with interviews of individuals and relevant bodies with noteworthy narratives. Current and relevant topics such as Beti Bachaao Beti Padhaao, PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) and Triple Talaq are covered in these episodes through real life experiences.

Smt. Geetaben Girishbhai Vaghela who has benefited from PMUY narrates that prior to getting her LPG connection under PMUY she would resort to the old world measures of cooking which were cumbersome and time consuming. A simple LPG connection under PMUY has made the process of cooking enjoyable and improved the overall quality of her life. Many such women have come forth and shared their narratives on the upcoming episodes.

Shayaro Bano of Kashipur, Uttarakhand is featured on these episodes talking about the epic judgment issued by Supreme Court on Triple Talaq which led to the bench asking the central government to promulgate legislation within six months to govern marriage and divorce in the Muslim community. The court said that until the government formulates a law regarding instant triple talaq, there would be an injunction against husbands pronouncing Instant triple talaq on their wives.

Talking about the women empowerment episodes, Pallavi Joshi, veteran actor and the anchor of Bharat Ki Baat stated,` In an era of #MeToo and social media crusaders who appear as torch bearers of women empowerment somehow forget the real issues. Urban India is a miniscule part of India and where women empowerment is truly imperative, social media unfortunately has not yet trickled down to. I really felt the need to feature this issue on Bharat Ki Baat and showcase the real framework of women empowerment. A simple LPG connection is empowering for someone while someone else grapples with triple talaq. Dwindling child sex ratio and women's education, I feel are far more deep rooted issues that we must talk about. Yes there is no glamour in them but that does not make these topics any less important`.


Beti Bachao Beti Padhao also gets reviewed over these episodes through Anganwadi Workers from Senapati District in Manipur. In Senapati District, society follows a patriarchal dominant system. Village council leaders were sensitized and trained to come on board with the ideas behind Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP). The disparity between girls and boys, in particular, the grave issue of a declining Child Sex Ratio were highlighted and participants were encouraged to deliberate and discuss challenges like the birth and education of girls. Initially, an invitation to participate in a one-day training /sensitization programme was given to all the village council leaders with the support of Anganwadi Workers which was amplified later.

The episodes also feature women of true substance and who have led by example. Retired Air Marshal, Padmavathy Bandopadhyay was the first woman Air Marshal in the The Indian Air Force who went onto becoming the Director General of Medical Services at the Air Headquarters talks about her remarkable journey. Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi shares her nerve chilling story while she had volunteered for Indian Navy's expedition, Navika Sagar Parikrama - an all woman circumnavigation of the globe under sails on INSV TARINI. Sonal Mansingh talks on Naarishakti and in a dramatic spin the epic symbolism of women power 'Draupadi' from The Mahabharat are also featured on these women empowerment episodes which are slated to be telecast on 9th and 10thMarch.

Bharat Ki Baat is telecast at 10am every Saturday and Sunday only on News18 India, along with News18 UP, News18 MP, News18 Punjab, News18 Rajasthan, News18 Bihar and News18 Urdu.