The Aryavarth Express:
Mumbai (Maharashtra): On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Mpower, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, moved beyond traditional celebrations to spotlight real-life stories of resilience and transformation. Through its storytelling platform “MPowered Voices – Women’s Day Edition,” the organisation created a space for women to openly share journeys of healing, courage, and rediscovery.
Founded by Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust and Mpower, the initiative brought together more than 86 women who shared deeply personal stories about overcoming adversity and rebuilding their lives.
The session featured powerful accounts reflecting the diverse struggles women face in their personal and professional lives. Stories ranged from surviving abuse and navigating divorce to coping with grief, confronting bullying and body-shaming, exploring identity, and adapting to sudden hearing loss. Each narrative underscored a common message of resilience and renewal.
One of the most emotional moments came from a speaker who spoke about growing up in the slums while enduring multiple forms of abuse. She shared how she eventually rediscovered her self-worth and confidence, illustrating the strength required not just to survive adversity but to rebuild life with dignity.
Another impactful story came from a mother who rebuilt her life after divorce while raising her daughter as a single parent. The daughter also shared her reflections on growing up during that journey, highlighting how resilience can become a legacy passed from one generation to the next.
The event also opened up conversations around mental health, identity, and healing. Participants spoke candidly about living with depression and PTSD, navigating their identity as members of the LGBTQ+ community, and transforming personal struggles into meaningful work that supports others.
The session was guided by senior psychologist Dilshad Khurana from Mpower, who helped create a safe and empathetic environment where women could speak freely and listen to one another with compassion.
The discussions resonated deeply with attendees. Many shared that the stories reminded them of their own journeys and inspired them to reclaim their voice, rebuild their confidence, and move forward with renewed strength.
The need for such open conversations is reflected in broader data on women’s wellbeing. According to a national study on women’s mental health in India, nearly one in two women experiences chronic stress due to work-life pressures, financial instability, and societal expectations. This highlights the importance of creating safe spaces where women can speak openly, seek support, and heal.
“Women’s Day is often marked by messages and symbolic gestures, but true empowerment lies in creating spaces where women can speak their truth, connect through shared experiences, and rebuild themselves with courage,” said Alpana Mishra, who led the MPowered Voices session.
Beyond the speakers, the audience also took away meaningful insights. Many participants reflected that the stories helped them recognise their own strength and reinforced that rebuilding oneself is not a single moment but an ongoing journey.
Through initiatives like MPowered Voices, Mpower continues to encourage conversations around resilience, mental health, and empowerment, helping build communities where women feel seen, heard, and supported.
About Mpower
Mpower, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, is a social enterprise dedicated to transforming the approach to mental health in India. Founded nine years ago by Neerja Birla, the organisation works to spread awareness, reduce stigma, and provide holistic mental health care.
With a team of over 200 trained professionals, Mpower has impacted more than 121 million lives across seven cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Delhi, and Pune.
The organisation operates through five key verticals — Movement, Clinical Care, Outreach, Academia, and Mpower 1 on 1. Its initiatives focus on changing cultural perceptions around mental health, delivering accessible care, training professionals and communities, and providing 24/7 multilingual helpline support. Special projects such as Samvedana further strengthen mental health services in primary healthcare systems.
Through its integrated and collaborative approach, Mpower continues working toward building a stigma-free and supportive mental health ecosystem in India.
