Governor Acharya Devvrat said that women have a big role in the development of the country besides saving the culture of India. He said that the country will move forward only when women would be respected and empowered.He was addressing on the occasion of State Level International Women Day organized by the Directorate of Women and Child Development under Social Justice and Empowerment Department at Gaiety Theatre, Shimla, today.While extending his greetings on the occasion of International Women's Day, the Governor said that with the changing times, women have proved themselves in every sphere of life and have won laurels for their talent. The continuous emphasis on gender equity would lead to new opportunities for women and for society, he added.Acharya Devvrat said that women are accorded the greatest respect in Vedas. He said, “It was a loud pronouncement of Vedas that the society that respects women lives in heaven. And where women are denigrated, even the noble actions go waste.”He said that India has a great culture as there was no distinction between men and women in society and this tradition prevailed till the Vedic period. In that period women were ahead of men in many fields and were the core of the society, he added. But, there was a split in the medieval period, due to foreign invasions took place in India and said that this distinction has been reintroduced in the present time and as a result, today, women were playing a leading role in every area of development. Her contribution was also in protecting the borders of the country and there was no such area of development where women did not participate.He remembered the great reformist including Rajaram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda and Swami Dayanand Saraswati, who started many agitations to remove evils spread in the society at that time.
Referring to women in Himachal Pradesh, He said that here women were more diligent and educated. They were doing better services from farms to jobs. He emphasized the need to become a part of the campaign against the drug menace in Devbhumi and also urged to adopt the natural farming initiated by the state government.The Governor also honoured the winners of various events organized by the department.Students of Bal Sanrakshak Sansthan, Tutikandi and Portmore School and artists of Chudeshwar Kala Manch presented a cultural programme. Anganwari Workers also presenting cultural programme based on departmental schemes.Earlier, Additional Chief Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment Nisha Singh honoured and welcomed the Governor on the occasion and detailed various women-oriented welfare schemes executed by the department in the state. She appreciated the efforts of Anganwari Workers and helpers in implementing nutrition campaign in a big way in the state and said that Government of India had acknowledged the better performance of the State in this direction.She said that the department has initiated to promote local products through self help groups. She urged to take benefits of Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan Yojana launched in the State.Director, Women and Child Development Rajesh Sharma proposed a vote of thanks on the occasion.Roopa Sharma, Chairperson, Gudia Saksham Board, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Deputy Mayor, Municipal Corporation Shimla, Anganwari Workers throughout the State, Officers of the State Government and other dignitaries besides students were also present on the occasion.