‘When Women Lift, the Nation Rises’: Raksha Khadse Emphasizes Power of Women in Sports Development

New Delhi-Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, delivered a powerful message on women’s empowerment through sports, stating, “When women lift, the nation rises.” The minister was addressing an event celebrating India’s rising female athletes and their growing role in transforming the national sports landscape.

Her statement, widely appreciated online, reflects a broader push by the Ministry to promote gender equality, grassroots participation, and Olympic preparation among young female athletes.

“Every time a woman steps onto the podium — whether in weightlifting, athletics, boxing, or wrestling — she carries not just a medal, but the hopes of a billion people. Investing in women’s sports is not a choice, it’s a necessity for a stronger India,” she said.

 Spotlight on Women Achievers in Indian Sports

From Mirabai Chanu in weightlifting to Nikhat Zareen in boxing and Savita Punia in hockey, Indian women athletes have consistently made the nation proud at global platforms. Smt. Khadse noted that targeted support for women through schemes like:

• Khelo India Scheme

• TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme)

• Mission Shakti in Sports

…has begun yielding results, especially in rural and tier-2 cities.

 Sports as a Catalyst for Social Change

Khadse also emphasized that empowering girls through sports creates a ripple effect: boosting self-confidence, delaying early marriages, encouraging education, and promoting better health.

“A girl who enters the sports field returns home not just with strength but with self-respect, purpose, and inspiration for her entire community,” she said.

 Looking Ahead: Vision 2032 Olympics

Under the Vision 2032 roadmap, the ministry aims to increase women’s participation in sports by 40%, build dedicated training infrastructure for women, and ensure equal prize money and recognition across disciplines.

Smt. Khadse called upon state governments, schools, sports federations, and corporate sponsors to “adopt and support” promising young women athletes across the country.