The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh today said the women empowerment is need of the hour and the Government has already taken several measures in this direction. “The onus now lies on the people to ensure the success of these initiatives by effectively contributing towards women empowerment,” he said.The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at a function organized by Song and Drama Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India, Regional Center Chandigarh in Collaboration with Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and Department of Information and Public Relations in connection with “Ladli Beti“ under “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” scheme at Abhinav Theater here today.
The Minister for Social Welfare Mr. Sajjad Gani Lone, MLA Kupwara Mr. Bashir Ahmad Dar, Additional Director General PIB Ms. Bharti Vaid, Deputy Director Field Publicity Unit Ms. Neha Jalali, Regional Head, Song and Drama Division, Mr. Baljit Singh, Senior BJP Leader Mr. Ashok Koul, prominent citizens, academicians and other senior Officers of different departments were present on the occasion.Dr Singh said empowering women is the need of the hour and we should all collectively synergize our efforts for brining a change in the society which would be based on equality without giving preferential treatment to any gender. He said the Government is already abreast with this and several schemes have been introduced which would ensure that women are empowered in every sphere of life and equal opportunity are provided to them.
While referring to the initiatives undertaken by the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi for ensuring the empowerment of women and girl child, the Deputy Chief Minister said the PM has already ensured that the Beti Bacho Beti Padho schme is implemented in the mission mode so that the girl child gets benefitted from this landmark scheme. He said the State Government has also introduced several schemes which would supplement the central programmes.Quoting from the history, the Deputy Chief Minister said the contribution of women in various fields like administration, literature and arts has been significant and we should all undertake the measures which would help in changing the stereo-typical mindset of certain sections of society which would ensure effective empowerment of this gender.The Minister for Social Welfare Sajjad Gani Lone also spoke on the occasion and called for active cooperation from every section of society for the success of the measures being taken for ensuring that the women are empowered at every level. He said bringing change in the stereotypical mindset is need of the hour and it would supplement the central and state initiatives being undertaken in this regard.Mr. Lone also enumerated the initiatives being taken by the State and Central government for ensuring empowerment of the women folk and girl child.A colorful cultural programme was also presented on the occasion which included Kashmiri and Dogri songs, folk dances, group songs, Sufi Songs and Kashmiri Band Paether.