HOME secretary Theresa May paid tribute to women "who selflessly help others" as she visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden last Saturday (March 9), a day after International Women’s Day (March 8).
May, dressed in a turquoise salwar kameez, spoke of her privilege being in the company of hundreds of motivated women at the Women’s Day celebrations, held at the north London temple.
She called upon women to realise their potential and encourage others to go above and beyond.
The British home secretary was the chief guest and keynote speaker at the conference, entitled Celebrating Women: Above and Beyond, organised by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha to mark International Women’s Day.
She arrived at the temple at noon and was greeted with a traditional flower garland. An auspicious thread signifying goodwill and friendship was tied around her wrist. After a tour of the temple, May paid her respects in the inner sanctum.
Among other guest speakers were Baroness Barbara Young, the first woman CEO of Diabetes UK, Sarah Teather, MP for Brent Central and PC Purnima Raval who has been in the Metropolitan Police Service for 21 years and is one of the first Asian women recruited into the Service.
The celebrations this year also supported Climate Week, and guests and organisers donated old and/or unwanted clothes for recycling and donation to charity.
A vitality show was organised in the afternoon which included a variety of health and wellbeing activities as well as art and cultural demonstrations.
Rena Amin, one of the organisers of the event, said, "This year we wanted women to really reach above and beyond the boundaries and learn and become inspired through the experiences of others. We wanted to provide a place where an everyday, ordinary woman can believe that she can make a significant contribution to society."
Nisha Patel, 18, a guest, said, "It is remarkable how attainable success can be when you hear from those who have achieved success themselves – ordinary women who have achieved extraordinary things."
