New Delhi [India], July 24 (ANI): Leading women’s empowerment activist Ruma Devi spoke to ANI on Wednesday about how traditional festivals like Teej play a pivotal role in empowering women by offering income opportunities, fostering camaraderie, and enhancing mental well-being.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Teej Utsav 2025 celebrations, which commenced on July 23 at Bikaner House, Ruma Devi praised the festivities and emphasized their role in encouraging the youth to stay connected with cultural traditions. She highlighted how the festival promotes small-scale industries such as bangle-making, ‘Poshak’ dress production, and henna art, thereby creating economic opportunities for women.
“Teej serves as a bridge to empower women on multiple fronts—by strengthening small-scale industries, encouraging traditional dance forms like Ghoomar, and providing a platform for women to come together, share their stories, and find emotional support,” said Ruma Devi.
Originally from Barmer, Rajasthan, Ruma Devi is the Director of the Ruma Devi Foundation. She has been relentlessly working to generate livelihoods, promote arts and crafts, and contribute to health, education, and infrastructure development in rural communities.
Speaking about her ongoing initiatives, she mentioned a unique cultural program she founded, called Harjas Utsav, celebrated every March. This event, which features devotional singing and community gatherings beneath the shade of Khejri trees, not only preserves indigenous traditions but also provides employment opportunities for women and fosters a strong sense of community.
To date, her foundation has awarded scholarships worth over ₹1 crore as part of its broader mission to empower women through synchronized initiatives in education, culture, and livelihood development.
In 2018, Ruma Devi was honored with the prestigious Nari Shakti Award by then-President Ram Nath Kovind in recognition of her impactful work.
Her presence at Bikaner House during Teej Utsav 2025 inspired many women artisans who had set up stalls, coming from regions across Rajasthan including Bara, Alwar, Jaipur, and Udaipur.
Bikaner House is hosting a week-long celebration of Teej Utsav 2025. Additional Resident Commissioner Anju Omprakash noted that various cultural programs will take place daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The festival, which runs from July 23 to July 30, offers Delhiites and non-resident Rajasthanis a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant traditions of Rajasthan.
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