Emphasizing on the need to change social perception, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh said that women are flag bearers of nation’s development and her empowerment means the empowerment of the nation.Speaking during a felicitation function for ‘Biking Queens’, Dy CM said that all sections of the society have to make coordinated efforts to enable women to attain their highest potentials.Dr Singh commended the initiative taken by 50 women bikers from Gujrat for taking to the roads the word of women empowerment though various women welfare schemes launched by the Government including ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ and passing on the message of 'Sashakt Nari, Sashakt Bharat.’ After visiting Khardungla Top, Kargil and other cities enroute, the Bikers were greeted with warm welcome at the winter capital of State.Dy CM saluted the courage of these bikers for hoisting the National Flag on 71st Independence Day at highest peak of Khardung-La in Ladakh. He said that they are the true representative of women empowerment and messengers of peace.Accentuating on women education, Dr Singh said it is the time when women are coming forward and doing well in education. Centre and the State governments are significantly emphasizing on educating girls for their empowerment, he added.
Dy CM called for collective efforts by all during strenuous journey of women to achieve empowerment. There is no individualistic approach to it and society as a whole need to understand its constructive aspect, he added.Referring to various schemes initiated by the government, Dy CM said that laws and schemes formulated for benefitting women in the country have become instrumental in empowering women. Effective implementation along with creating awareness of legal rights granted to women through various laws is the need of the hour, Dy CM said. He maintained that a society which cannot respect women cannot be called a civilized one.It is pertinent to mention that Biking Queens is a group of 50 bikers founded by Dr Sarika Mehta, all hailing from Gujarat undertook a journey aimed at spreading awareness on female foeticide, girl child education, gender inequality, welfare and supportive measures for women empowerment across the country.Cultural programme was also organized to celebrate the eve and souvenirs were also presented to the bikers on behalf of the state government.Divisional Commissioner Dr M K Bhandari, IGP Jammu, Dr S D Singh , Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan , SSP Jammu Sunil Gupta besides senior leaders and prominent citizens were also present on the occasion.