Let us honour and reflect upon the role of women in developing family, community, and humanity.

It was Mao Zedong who famously quipped that “Women hold up half the sky!”  Statistically, women indeed constitute half of humanity.  However, in terms of influence, the female gender exerts proportionately more.

History has shown that even powerful men were greatly influenced by their mothers during childhood, and grew up inheriting much of the values imparted matrilinealy.  It is important to understand this matrilineal influence on the development of children, so that we could apply it to benefit humanity infinitely.

Mothers are our first teachers, and often, a refuge for many of us in want.  Mothers and sisters should therefore be empowered with skills and spiritual awareness to exert positive influence upon society.  They truly have the potential to inspire change to achieve greater well-being for all.  Thus, Nalanda’s theme for this Women’s Day is – “Inspiring Change to achieve Well-being”.

Nalanda wishes everyone ‘Happy Women’s Day’.  Have a meaningful, reflective, and inspiring celebration that honours the role women play in advancing civilization.  Let us also remember to make positive steps towards achieving greater well-being and happiness in the world.

Article by Bro. H S Tan © 2014/2015.  Reproduced here with permission from author.