Udaipur Youth Brigade: Why Dr. Girija Vyas is the person you should look up to?

Born on 8th July 1946 to Krishna Sharma and Jamuna Devi Vyas, Dr. Girija Vyas' credentials can be summarized as an educationist, a writer, a poet, a music & art enthusiast, a humanitarian and a politician. Words fall short to describe her multi-dimensional personality; one that's inspirational for each one of us.

Gold Medalist- MA Philosophy

Despite hailing from a rather conservative background, Girija Vyas as a child was full of ambitions. Born in a time, when women were supposed to marry early & were confined only to the household work, she fought all odds to pursue her education. Finishing off her schooling with flair, she pursued her higher education from Udaipur scoring a Gold Medal in MA-Philosophy from Mohan Lal Sukhadia University (MLSU) securing first rank amongst all three disciplines of Art, Science and Commerce.

Ex Professor-MLSU, Udaipur

Ex-Professor- University of Delaware, USA

Pursuing her Ph.D in Philosophy (Dissertation on a Comparative Study of Ethical Teachings in Gita and Bible(1973). Received Post Doctoral Fellowship at University of Delaware, US from 1979-80. She comes forward as a downright secular person who holds deep understanding & regard for every caste & religion that's reflected from her liberal mindset. This is what she learned & this is what she always taught her students.

 

 

An Avid Writer & Poet

Her journey as an orator and debater started way back in school. Like every child, the mere sight of clouds floating and vanishing in the sky used to make her smile. She learnt Urdu in a ‘Madrasa’ near her house with other children in Udaipur.

The scarcity of water in Rajasthan was imbibing for Dr. Vyas to write her first poem. One such verse from her poem stating,“आकाश में उड़ते रहे पानी के परिंदे; नहीं आये खेतों की मगर प्यास बुझाने" reflects the deep pain she felt to see her homeland in scarce rains! As a writer, her thoughts brim up even during the toughest of her days. One such time she penned down, “I am not a big banyan tree; I am a less green bush; the more you cut, the more I grow ”

The vibrancy of Girija Vyas' persona is truly being reflected from her artistic piece of work. Having written eight books, including the 'Ethical Teachings of Bhagwat Gita and Bible' and the 'Philosophy of Shuddadvaita, she has contributed 50 articles in national and international journals, as well as writing Urdu poems and Hindi articles on social issues.

Three of her books that will always preserve her poetry, are "एहसास के पार" with Urdu poems; "सीप, समुन्दर और मोती" with both Hindi and Urdu poems while "Nostalgia" is enriched with English verses. Clinging to her creative interests, she often takes part in ‘Kavi Sammelans’ and inspires people with her eloquent speeches.

  

 

A Music & Art Lover

In her mother’s imagination, young Girija was a “little nightingale” who would grow up and heal wounds — study medicine and be a doctor. But Girija had other plans. She wanted to be a dancer. She was formally trained in Kathak for 15 years as well as in classical music. Both, however, had to be abandoned because of the dearth of good teachers willing to conduct classes at home. Her penchant for the performance arts, classical music & gazals still holds very strong.

  

Women Empowerer

Dr. Girija Vyas has always been in immense favor of bringing forth the role of women in our society and has accelerated women empowerment through various endeavors with the objective of increasing the participation of women across all social spheres.  

On February 16, 2005 she took over as the Chairperson of the National Commission of Women & was elected twice in a row to serve the role. During her tenure, 57 new laws were passed to ensure the safety & security of women. In her words ”Women's issues should be above politics and emancipation of women is my aim”. 

Stressing on the need for empowerment of women, she focused towards passing benefits to women of all classes to help make them economically empowered. One of the prominent issues she addressed was for drafting strict laws against molestation & the derogatory portrayal of women as commodities in advertising & other forms of media.  

Humanitarian

In the spirit of striving towards the betterment of our country, Dr. Girija Vyas is a rooted humanitarian who consistently believed in helping those who are deprived of opportunities. According to her, every citizen should be aware about his/her entitlements, relevant schemes and programs being implemented by Central and State Governments so as to access and benefit from them. Ever since her initial days as a minister in the Government of Rajasthan, she has selflessly worked for the upliftment of the underprivileged and the same spirit can be seen in her today as well. 

The recent tragedy in Uttarakhand focused the world’s attention on the plight of the hapless peasants, tourists and locals and Dr. Vyas was right in the centre of relief and rehabilitation work to help the affected.

After taking up charge of country’s Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Vyas brought about various schemes towards affordable housing and sustainable development for the poor & middle income group people. 

 

Politician:Totally a people's person

In 1985, as a candidate of the Indian National Congress party, she was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Udaipur, Rajasthan and served as a Minister in the Government of Rajasthan till 1990.
In 1991, she was elected to the Indian Parliament, representing Udaipur, Rajasthan in the Lok Sabha and was appointed as a Deputy Minister (Information and Broadcasting) in the Federal Government of India in the Narsimha Rao ministry. 


1993 onwards: Resident, All India Mahila Congress.

1993-96: Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; Member, Standing Committee on House and External Affairs

·     1996: Re-elected to 11th Lok Sabha (2nd term)

·     1996 onwards: Member, Committee on Raj Bhasha; Member, Committee on Empowerment of Women; Member, Standing Committee on Petroleum; Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Home Affairs

·     1999: Re-Elected to 13th Lok Sabha (3rd term)

·     1999-2000: Member, Committee on Petroleum and Chemicals

·     From 2001-2004, she was also the President, Rajasthan Provincial Congress Committee. Currently, she is Chairperson, Media Department, All India Congress Committee and member, Indo-EU Civil Society.

·     In February 2005, the U.P.A. Government of Manmohan Singh, nominated her to the position of the Chairperson of the Fifth National Commission for Women, a Constitutional & Statutory body, a position she was holding till 01/08/2011. 

·      M.L.A. from Chittorgarh, Rajasthan in 2008

·      Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation in 2013 

National-International Representations 

President of Parliamentary Women's Organization (SAARC)

Representative, Asia in Common Wealth 

President of World Spiritual Wing

Vice president of SAARC Literary Council

Representing many INDIA- SAARC bodies

Former President of Indo- European Round Table

(i) 5th Asian Women Parliamentarians and Ministers Conference at Beijing, China, November, 2007

(ii) Regional Policy Dialogue Org., Asian Pacific resource and research Centre for Women (ARROW) to address the Women empowerment and upliftment issues in Bangkok,Thailand, May, 2006

(iii) 49th and 50th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York, March,2005 and 2006

(iv) Beijing Plus Ten-5th South Asia reginal Conference organised by the UNIFEM, Islamabad, Pakistan

Attended 
(i)10th Indo-European Union Round Table meeting organised by Ministry of External Affairs (Govt. of India), Vienna, June 2006

(ii)United Nation General Assembly meeting, New York, October, 2009

 

Contesting for MLA Elections in 2018 from Udaipur, Rajasthan, Girija Vyas indeed presents a formidable candidature with tons of her past experience & a spirit to keep the politics clean & development oriented. 

While the other political leaders are spilling poison in the name of caste & religion, here's Girija Vyas aspiring & aiming to build a world that's scientific, artistic & equal for all.