Governor Acharya Devvrat said that the women are actively contributing in the development process of state which is reflected by their active participation in various social programmes. He said the girls have made their own way and they are establishing their strong presence in every area of development. Whether, it was education or the field of sports, they are getting leading positions and giving self introduction to empowerment.He was speaking during a programme- ‘Aprajita’ organized by Amar Ujala group on women empowerment at LBS Medical College, Ner Chowk in Mandi district, today.“There was no difference on the basis of gender during the Vedic period and there are many references when women had the right to move forward in every field. But, in the medieval times, social evils were created by the foreign invaders and girls were deprived of education and kept in the curtain”, said Acharya Devvrat.He said that in that era, social reformers like Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Rajaram Mohan Roy and Shradha Nand worked for women empowerment as a result of which the things have changed today and women are conscious of their rights.The Governor appreciated the steps taken by the state government for women empowerment.
He said that he himself initiated campaign on various issues of social concern including Nashamukt Himachal and natural farming. He expressed his gratitude to the state government for making special efforts to further these campaigns. He also lauded the efforts of the newspapers for starting campaign of women empowerment throughout the country.Health and Family Welfare Minister Vipin Parmar said Himachal has always been ahead in women empowerment. The initiative for reservation of women in Panchayati Raj institutions was first taken by former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar in 1990. The present state government has initiated various programmes related to women empowerment and security including Gudia Board etc. Many such schemes have also been started in health sector, which include Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Him Care, Mukhya Mantri Ashirvad Yojana and Mukhya Mantri Swavalamban Yojana etc.Earlier, Editor, Amar Ujala Rakesh Bhatt gave detailed information about the Aparajita campaign.MLA Inder Singh Gandhi, Chairperson, Mandi Zila Parishad Sarla Thakur, Director, Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board Priyanta Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Mandi Rugved Thakur, Principal, Ner Chowk Medical College Dr. Rajneesh Pathania, Unit Head, Amar Ujala Dheeraj Roman, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Mahila Mandals and Self Help Groups were also present on the occasion.