Jyoti Bharti Ignites Empowerment at WLC 2023 | Forever Living India
Good afternoon, everyone. Jai Maharashtra, and long live women’s power—forever. Life’s beginning itself was with that idea of forever. And as they say—there’s a very meaningful proverb I’ve heard since childhood:
‘Diye Tale Andhera.’
We spend our lives lighting up others, yet end up plunging our own lives into darkness or even forgetting our own identity.
Yet the darkness beneath the very lamp—that’s exactly how my life was.
In whatever form—be it as a mother, sister, wife, or in serving everyone—we bring light into their lives.
Friends, my name is Jyoti Bharti, and I’m absolutely proud to say—I am from Maharashtra.
After our parents’ home, the in‑laws’ home becomes ours. The person standing before you today is not who I was a few years ago. My life was not this. I believe many women and girls can see their own story reflected in mine—can relate to it, put themselves in that place.
Every girl is born somewhere, but her path takes her elsewhere. A significant change enters life. I, too, came from a tiny district village where there was no education available beyond the twelfth grade, and no college anywhere nearby.
My parents raised me with great love amid seven sisters and two brothers. I was the youngest daughter, the cherished one—so many never imagined I’d go on to anything. And every parent desires their daughter to get married in a good home, be happy, and succeed in life.
My father was an officer who wanted our daughters to be educated and move ahead. But the reality was, I couldn’t pursue college further. So my parents thought, “There’s a match in Mumbai—let’s get her married there.” At sixteen, I was married in 2006. By 1996–97 [sic], I had arrived in Mumbai, and the city’s culture was something I had never imagined.
I thought—Maharashtra, Mumbai, a metropolis—surely people would be very broad‑minded. But it wasn’t so. I could never even imagine such a dramatic change—going from there to literally rough ground here.
I sank deep into depression. My dreams were over. Wearing a long ghunghat—forget it. Cooking—forget it. I couldn’t do anything. And there, dowry dominated marriage woes. A teenage girl entering the wedding, only to have the baraat turn back—everything was ruined. The dream of marriage shattered. The harassment for dowry after marriage continued. For ten years, I lived in that family.
I never even saw the sun—never knew where it rose in Maharashtra or Mumbai. I never saw the sun. I had two kids by age 22. I felt my life was over. I never told my parents what I was going through—angry with myself for marrying so hastily. I felt I wanted to end myself.
But when I had kids, I began living—for them. I joined a class where—thanks to someone—I was introduced to Forever. As soon as I joined Forever, many challenges began. People said, “You joined Forever, but you’re not allowed.” Because I used to move around Mumbai with my ghunghat, going to the office, just holding the pallu. That was the situation—I couldn’t escape it.
When I joined Forever, I thought—if I become financially strong, I will leave that family and move somewhere. And Forever gave me that strength.
I became a manager. I had no contacts, no connections in Mumbai. I couldn’t even cross the road, didn’t know where the office was. My sponsor used to drive me to and from the office. After some time, I learned where the office was. I began traveling by myself, and within a year and a half, I became a manager.
Then senior manager, club, planned for international travel, domestic travel—everything. Who would have thought that I had left home for Forever? I had separated from my parents—also from my husband—with my two children.
I made up my mind—if I had money, the world would fit in my hand. Now all those people who say, “Don’t go anywhere”—I will prove to them that I am not the ordinary woman they think. Because I had the power of Forever.
Imagine—from a small village to Mumbai, then my first destination: Malaysia, then Dubai, then Norway, then God knows where. I even forgot to change! Just make the change.
Okay, so this is what you see—my first photo—has anyone seen it? It feels unreal, beyond me. In a very short time, yes, I progressed—but at the cost of losing so much along the way.
I lost my entire business in Maharashtra due to an accident. I watched my downline—a dear friend—die in front of me. The next year my brother passed. The third year my mother passed. The fourth year, my father. My entire close family was gone.
Everyone gone. I felt—I had achieved so much, but there was no one to see it. The parents who would’ve been so proud—weren’t there. But somewhere they are watching over me. And with their blessings, all of my downline—I scold them, I punish them, and I love them all the same.
My entire team is there. Friends, all I want to say is: “Light your inner lamp”—because if you have that strength to give light to the world, you can light up your own life too.
Thank you so much. All the best, friends!”**
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