Never allowed anyone to cross the 'Lakshman Rekha: Sonal Mansingh

Noted classical dancer Sonal Mansingh said on Saturday women face several challenges in the society but should never allow men to infringe on their personal space.

Speaking at an interactive session at the Bharat Chamber of Commerce here, the 74-year-old Padma Vibhushan awardee said that in a career spanning over six decades, she

has never allowed anyone to cross the "Lakshman Rekha".

Referring to the #MeToo movement in the country, she said, "I had never allowed anyone to cross the 'Lakshman Rekha'.It was my space and I guarded it. We (women) have to be strong".

She sought "education, empowerment and enlightenment" for men who disrespect women and said there was a need for strengthening the social fabric.

Mansingh, who was nominated to Rajya Sabha earlier this year, said that in Parliament everyone expected her to speak on women's issues.

"But women's issues are not separate from economy, environment issues. They all coalesce," the Bharatnatyam and Odissi dancer said.

She said even if there were women prime ministers and presidents all over the world, there remained a glass ceiling for women.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)