The Economic Times Women's Forum 2025, held in Mumbai on June 12, 2025, served as a pivotal platform for dialogue, learning, and networking, bringing together influential voices and Indian leaders championing women's empowerment. Among the distinguished speakers was Deepthi Reddy N, Chief of Women Empowerment at Reliance Foundation, who emphasized the transformative potential of empowering women to redefine India's development trajectory by 2047.
Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries, headed by Nita Ambani, focuses on various critical areas, including health, education, disaster management, arts, culture and heritage, rural transformation, and sports for development. Deepthi Reddy N highlighted that women's empowerment is central to the foundation's mission. She articulated that their approach is catalytic, aiming to drive systemic changes at the individual, household, and community ecosystem levels. This multifaceted approach encompasses digital and financial inclusion, economic empowerment, resilience, agency, and leadership development.
Reddy elaborated on several key programs undertaken by the Reliance Foundation. One such program, operational across Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Gujarat, aims to economically empower approximately one million women. These initiatives are uniquely designed as models of partnership and collaboration, augmenting their impact and reach. In addition to economic empowerment, the foundation is actively working on innovative solutions to bridge the gender digital divide, ensuring that women have equitable access to digital tools and resources. This commitment reflects a broader vision of balancing equity and equality with equanimity.
The Economic Times Women's Forum featured a diverse array of speakers, including Smriti Irani, Former Cabinet Minister, Government of India, and Shraddha Kapoor, Actor and Co-Founder of Palmonas, who spoke about pursuing dreams and developing resilience. Avani Lekhara, a two-time Paralympic Gold Medallist, shared her inspiring journey. Other notable speakers included Sakshi Chopra, Managing Director, Peak XV; actors Rasika Dugal, Tillotama Shome, Sheeba Chadha, and Riddhi Dogra; Aditi Kothari Desai, Chairperson, DSP Asset Managers; and business leaders such as Abanti Sankaranarayanan, Chief Group Public Affairs Officer, Mahindra Group; Meghna Agarwal, Cofounder, IndiQube; Devina Mehra, Founder & CMD, First Global; Kirthiga Reddy, CEO, Verix; Manisha Girotra, CEO, Moelis India; and Anju Srivastava, Founder and MD, Wingreens Farms. The forum also spotlighted young achievers like Kaamya Karthikeyan, the youngest woman to complete the Seven Summits.
The forum's agenda included discussions on financial literacy, overcoming societal norms, and encouraging women to actively participate in investment decisions. Experts emphasized that financial independence is crucial for women to gain control over their lives. The Economic Times Women's Forum 2025 underscored the importance of empowering women across various sectors to drive India's growth story and achieve transformative change.
