Emotional Empowerment Needed for Daughters: Baheti

Udaipur, Taking a proactive approach in addressing changing social structures and rising challenges, the Maheshwari community has initiated a thoughtful discourse series titled Manthan – From Problem to Solution. The inaugural session was held at Vidya Bhawan Auditorium, Dewali-Fatehpura, under the joint aegis of Nagar Maheshwari Yuva Sangathan and Maheshwari Friends Committee, Udaipur.

Organization president Mayank Mundra stated that the series aims to ignite collective introspection and open dialogue on burning social issues. Treasurer Sudarshan Laddha added that the seminar addressed complex topics such as the adverse effects of social media, declining emotional sensitivity in relationships, youth mental health, and religious conversions, with insights from expert speakers.

Tarun Asawa from the Friends Committee informed that keynote addresses were delivered by social workers Subhash Baheti and Yashoda Mandovra from Bhilwara. Chief guest for the session was Raghav Kothari, State President of South Rajasthan Maheshwari Yuva Sangathan, while the session was presided over by CA Ashish Kothari. Bharat Baheti noted enthusiastic participation across all age groups. Social activists Poonam Bhadada and Shri Ratna Mohata were also honored during the event.

Baheti emphasizes: Daughters need emotional, not just financial, empowerment
Keynote speaker Subhash Baheti highlighted that the Maheshwari population, once estimated at 15–20 lakh, has now declined to around 9 lakh. Expressing concern, he blamed delayed marriages, late childbirth, an artificial lifestyle, lack of family dialogue, and a blind race for modernity for eroding social values.

Baheti stressed the growing emotional void caused by parents not spending enough time with their children, especially teenage daughters falling prey to deceit in the guise of love. “We must emotionally empower our daughters and make them aware of their cultural and spiritual roots,” he said.

He recommended timely marriages, avoiding excessive materialism, not hesitating to have more than two children, eradicating untouchability, and fostering social unity. “Though Lord Mahesh is our divine guardian, the responsibility to protect our society lies with us,” he concluded.

Mandovra calls for religious awareness and vigilance
Co-speaker Yashoda Mandovra elaborated on emerging threats like ‘Love Jihad’, ‘Land Jihad’, and ‘Economic Jihad’—terming them as part of well-planned conspiracies. She warned that perpetrators, often under false identities, exploit young girls in the name of love, leading to forced conversions and abandonment.

Highlighting that schools, colleges, gyms, dance classes, temple premises, and restaurants are no longer safe, she underlined the dominance of digital traps and the negligence of parents in monitoring online activities.

Mandovra advocated for equipping every daughter with self-defense skills such as judo, karate, fencing, inner strength, and intellectual clarity. She urged parents to involve children in religious and cultural activities and suggested connecting with organizations like Durga Vahini. “To save the nation, we must first protect our daughters. They must be awakened to their religion, pride, and identity,” she affirmed.