President to Attend Art of Living’s 10th International Women’s Conference

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The 10th International Women’s Conference (IWC) will be graced by the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, alongside distinguished women leaders from politics, business, the arts, and social impact. Organised by the Art of Living, the event will take place from 14th to 16th February at the organisation’s Bangalore ashram, featuring over 60 speakers and 500 delegates.

For nearly two decades, the IWC has brought together 463 eminent speakers and over 6,000 delegates from 115 countries. This year’s esteemed lineup, in addition to the President, includes Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot; Union Minister Annapurna Devi; MP Shobha Karandlaje; former Minister of External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje; Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland; Ms Akie Abe, wife of former Japanese Prime Minister; filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari; actresses Hema Malini, Sharmila Tagore, Sara Ali Khan, and Sonakshi Sinha; as well as business leaders Radhika Gupta and Kanika Tekriwal.

The IWC is chaired by Bhanumathi Narasimhan, sister of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Committed to Sri Sri’s vision of a stress-free, violence-free world, she leads women’s welfare and child care programmes under The Art of Living—a global not-for-profit organisation operating in 180 countries. With a strong foundation in spirituality and a broad vision for humanitarian service, Bhanumathi has spent over four decades fostering positive social transformation through initiatives in education, environmental sustainability, and women’s empowerment.

Centred around the theme ‘Just Be,’ inspired by a poem by Sri Sri, the conference will explore leadership, self-discovery, and empowerment. Attendees will also experience cultural highlights, including an International Food Festival and the musical performance Sita Charitam. This grand production offers a fresh take on the beloved epic of Ram and Sita, featuring over 500 artists and an expert technical crew. The narrative is brought to life through English dialogues and original music compositions, creating an immersive experience for contemporary audiences.

A special segment, ‘Stylish Inside Out: Fashion for a Cause,’ will showcase designs by Sabyasachi, Rahul Mishra, Manish Malhotra, and Raw Mango, among others. These exclusive designs will be auctioned, with proceeds supporting the Art of Living Free Schools.

At a time when leadership and gender roles are undergoing profound change, President Murmu’s presence at the IWC underscores the importance of this transformative gathering. Proceeds from the conference will be directed towards the education of girls through the Art of Living Free Schools, which operate over 1,300 institutions nationwide, impacting the lives of more than 100,000 students.

Unlike conventional leadership summits, the IWC offers a holistic experience, blending intellectual discussions with spiritual practices, cultural expressions, and service-driven social initiatives. The conference also acts as a bridge between urban and rural women, fostering connection and empowerment. Teachers from the Art of Living Free Schools across 22 states will be in attendance, bringing grassroots perspectives to a global platform.

More than just a forum for discussion, the IWC is a movement—one that celebrates women’s leadership and marks the beginning of an inner journey towards simply ‘being’.