The initiative includes a nationwide SOS number, a six pillar support model and a one million dollar commitment from EBG Foundation to reach one lakh women in its first phase.
India’s ongoing fight for women’s safety, independence and access to basic rights gained new momentum as EBG Group launched the Naari Shakti programme in Hyderabad. The initiative was unveiled by Padma Shri awardee and badminton player PV Sindhu at an event that brought attention to the need for structured support systems for women across the country. Naari Shakti stands as a national empowerment programme led by EBG Foundation, designed to reach one lakh women in its initial phase through a cohesive and measurable model of intervention.
The announcement reflects a rising call to address systemic gaps that affect women across socio economic levels. Although India has made progress in areas such as health access and literacy, data continues to show disparities for women in safety, income, decision making and legal recourse. These concerns have shaped many national discussions and have been examined in several policy contexts. References to gender equality appear throughout the Constitution of India at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_India, and the broader discussion of women’s rights is documented at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_India. The launch of Naari Shakti enters this landscape with a model intended to convert awareness into action through direct services and measurable outcomes.
At the heart of the programme is Suraksha Line, a nationwide SOS number created to deliver immediate support to women who require guidance or assistance. The helpline number, 7777777963, operates around the clock. Its purpose is to ensure that women facing any form of threat or uncertainty can speak to trained responders without hesitation. The focus on real time assistance aligns with global models of crisis support and draws from best practices found in established services such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline in the United States at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Domestic_Violence_Hotline. Suraksha Line is expected to become a central point of contact for women seeking quick access to help or information.
EBG Foundation has created a six pillar framework that sets the direction of Naari Shakti. The first pillar, Kaam and Kamaai, focuses on work from home income opportunities. This reflects the changing nature of employment in India, where digital access and flexible labour arrangements are expanding. Remote work, described at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommuting, is especially relevant for women who balance domestic responsibilities with the need for financial independence.
The second pillar, Sehat and Swachhta, emphasises health checks and dignity kits. Providing structured health access is vital in a country where public health infrastructure is still evolving and where women’s health concerns often remain under reported. Public health context is available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_India.
The third pillar, Padhna and Badalna, supports second chance education and digital skills. The significance of adult education is documented at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_education, and the importance of digital literacy is outlined at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_literacy. Both areas remain essential for women whose schooling or skill training may have been interrupted by early marriage or financial hardship.
The fourth pillar is Suraksha Line, which serves as the emergency and guidance component of the programme.
The fifth pillar, Kanoon and Hakk, focuses on legal support and awareness of rights. This work is rooted in the larger context of women’s legal protections in India, explored at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_rights_in_India and supported by the broader legal framework presented at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_India.
The sixth pillar, Saath and Sahara, provides care for abandoned or elder women through Naari Shakti Homes. This section addresses an urgent need, as India’s ageing population, described at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ageing_in_India, faces rising levels of abandonment and limited access to support structures.
Dr Irfan Khan, Chairman and Founder of EBG Group, spoke of the purpose that shaped Naari Shakti. He expressed concern that decades after independence, many women continue to live without safety, healthcare, legal awareness or economic choices. He emphasised that Naari Shakti is not designed as charity but as a direct investment in women’s progress. EBG Foundation will not seek public donations. Instead, it will allocate one million dollars from its business resources, supported through transparent and accountable systems.
He noted that women already form the majority of the workforce within several verticals of EBG Group, which has operations spanning mobility, health, realty, lifestyle, food, services, technology and education. These sectors are documented broadly through links such as https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobility, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_estate, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_India. He added that the internal learning from these teams motivated EBG to create a national model that could expand opportunities and ensure dignity across the continuum of a woman’s life.
PV Sindhu, who unveiled the initiative, described Naari Shakti as dignity in action. She highlighted how the programme enables a woman to secure income, maintain health, continue education, seek protection, access legal rights and age with respect. She stressed that empowerment is meaningful only when it becomes part of daily life. Her presence at the launch placed national attention on the programme and reinforced its potential to influence community level change.
Naari Shakti is open to women across age groups, backgrounds and communities. Priority will be given to survivors of domestic violence, widows, single mothers, abandoned elder women, women without income and those who may have lost access to education due to early marriage or financial barriers. These groups often face layered challenges that require structured intervention. Domestic violence in India is documented at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_violence_in_India, and issues related to widowhood appear in social studies at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widow. The programme aims to support these groups in ways that allow them to regain control of their choices.
The initiative also highlights the concept of economic independence, which is central to women’s empowerment globally. Economic empowerment is discussed at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_economic_empowerment, and plays a significant role in reducing vulnerabilities. Work from home models, digital literacy and legal awareness all correlate strongly with long term independence.
EBG Foundation asserts that Naari Shakti has been designed as a scalable, measurable and self sustaining model that can be expanded across states. The intention is to establish a framework that other organisations can adopt. This approach aligns with global practices in philanthropic planning, outlined at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonprofit_organization and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philanthropy.
Through its multi pillar model, Naari Shakti recognises that empowerment is not a single action but a pathway that requires continuity. Income access, safety, health, education, legal support and care must operate together. The commitment of one million dollars signals that EBG Foundation is prepared to build this pathway with long term intention.
This editorial has been prepared for Prittle Prattle News, featuring you virtuously under the guidance of Smruti Bhalerao, as part of the platform’s coverage of national initiatives that shape social progress across India.
At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTub
1 Comment