Not a midpoint, but a new start: Seminar to examine the changing landscape of women’s lives beyond 50

Dilip Guha, New Delhi: Under the mentorship, leadership and aegis of Spiritual Master Shree Shree Babaji, the Yagn Foundation, in collaboration with System Research Society (SRS), organised the inaugural seminar under the platform Second Act, titled Women Beyond Midlife. 

The one-day seminar was dedicated to examining the opportunities, challenges and possibilities that shape women’s lives beyond the age of 50.

Yagn Foundation is an organisation whose leadership comprises doctors, retired educators and senior professionals. It is dedicated to advancing women’s education, health and skills to build pathways towards economic independence, social equality and sustainable development.

 System Research Society works towards fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge-sharing on issues of social relevance through research, engagement and public discourse. It has been working to create an alternate, sustainable system that spearheads global transformation.

Organised on June 28, 2026, at the India International Centre, New Delhi, the seminar was curated around the theme “Women Beyond Midlife: Informed, Empowered & Thriving” and sought to foster informed, meaningful and empowering conversations around health, financial independence, technology, purpose and reinvention.

Second Act is envisioned as a national platform dedicated to fostering informed conversations around midlife, longevity and purposeful ageing. Beginning with its inaugural seminar, the initiative will evolve into a series of curated events across India, spanning Tier 1 cities such as Hyderabad and Bengaluru, as well as Tier 2 cities including Nagpur, Guwahati and Patna.

By bringing together experts, practitioners, organisations, researchers, policymakers and changemakers working across the midlife and longevity ecosystem, Second Act seeks to create a collaborative forum for knowledge-sharing, dialogue and innovation. Beyond seminars, the platform aims to build a growing community that empowers individuals with credible information, practical insights and meaningful connections, while encouraging partnerships that advance healthier, more confident and purposeful living in the decades beyond midlife.

India is witnessing a quiet but profound demographic transition. Women today often balance multiple identities as professionals, caregivers, grandparents, community leaders and mentors. Yet public conversations around women’s lives beyond midlife remain limited. The seminar aims to address this gap by creating a platform where participants can engage with experts, exchange experiences and access practical insights relevant to this significant life stage.

The day-long programme featured four thematic panel discussions.

Panel I: The Body Knows: Health, Hormones and Healthy Longevity

The opening panel examined women’s health beyond midlife, including menopause, cardiovascular health, bone health, sleep, cognition and evidence-based approaches to healthy ageing.

The session was chaired by Dr Manju Barik and featured distinguished medical experts Dr Sharda Jain and Shreya Prasad Sharma, who shared insights on navigating the physical and emotional transitions that accompany ageing.

Panel II: Her Money, Her Future: Financial Independence and Legacy Planning

Financial preparedness remains one of the most critical yet under-discussed aspects of later life. This session explored retirement planning, financial independence, will making, wealth management, legacy and long-term financial security.

 The panel featured Rekha Mody as the chair and speakers Pallavi Narain and Geeta Sudan, who discussed strategies for building financial resilience and confidence in the years beyond formal careers.

Panel III: Digital, Dangerous & Empowering: Women & Technology in 2026

Artificial intelligence, deepfakes, online scams and social media have transformed daily life while creating new vulnerabilities, particularly for those who entered the digital world later in life. At the same time, technology offers unprecedented opportunities for learning, entrepreneurship and connection.

Chaired by Amita Bhuwania, the session featured Priti Srivastava and Pushpanjali N Chawla; the panel examined how technology can serve as a powerful enabler for women through learning, entrepreneurship, creativity and community-building in their second act.

 Panel IV: The Second Act: Identity, Purpose and Reinvention After 60

The concluding panel focused on reinvention, lifelong learning, creativity, contribution and the pursuit of meaningful new beginnings beyond the age of 60.

The discussion was chaired by Dr Gita Prakash, and speakers Beila Gupta, Sunita Thawani and Anubha Goyal shared perspectives and experiences on embracing change, pursuing new passions and creating purposeful second chapters.

Mrs Renu Narang, CEO of NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd, graced the inaugural seminar as the Chief Guest. Bharatanatyam exponent Geeta Chandran graced the occasion as the guest of honour. About Second Act, Renu Narang said, “The platform seeks to shift the conversation on ageing away from limitation and toward possibility, recognising the experience, wisdom and potential that women bring to the later decades of life. Yagn Foundation & SRS are highlighting issues that haven’t been discussed much yet. It is extremely relevant to women today who find themselves navigating the demands of the demanding world.”

The event included the release of Shree Shree Babaji’s book The Night That Divided My Life, an account of his 20-year journey of working with people.