Annie Raja, General Secretary, National Federation of Indian Women; Subhashini Ali, President, All India Democratic Women’s Association and Qamar Azad Hashmi, mother of Safdar Hashmi, well-known revolutionary and activist, flagged off three caravans that left for cities and towns in different parts of India. Over 250 people - national women leaders, teachers, students, members of women’s groups and local activists - collected in solidarity at the auditorium of the Bundelkhand University at Jhansi.

The flag off ceremony was preceded by a two-hour programme comprising addresses by Subhashini Ali, Annie Raja, local, Jhansi-based members of the reception committee (including Dr. Iqbal and Dr. Kiran Sharma from Bundelkhand University) and cultural performances.

Each caravan leader introduced her team members to the audience and shared their route and itinerary. The caravans comprise young women from different parts of the country. The caravans will stop at different towns and cities to talk to the masses about the politics of the Women’s Reservation Bill as well as to collect signatures. It is hoped that the campaign will collect over 20,000 signatures that would be presented to the Prime Minister at the culmination of the event.

Members of the press (print and electronic) from Jhansi gathered in large numbers to wish the team members.