The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, V.P. Singh Badnore launched SWAYAM-a self defense training programme organized by the Chandigarh Police exclusively for the women.Speaking on the occasion, the Governor observed that the most of the crimes committed on women are due to lack of basic moral education which a child should learn from home. Women as mothers should teach good values to their children. Our small male children should be taught how to respect women, right from the beginning. He said that India is a country where woman is worshiped and treated as a goddess; they are being violated at homes. It is a symptom of mental sickness.”Sh. Badnore said that now is the time that an enormous transformation in the mindset of the people should take place. As women are becoming increasingly self-reliant, financially independent and assertive of their identity, the society has to give women their rightful place.Expressing concern over the rise in crime against women the country, Sh. Badnore said that Crimes against women have more than doubled over the past ten years. Recalling the tragic Nirbhaya gang rape case of 2012, the Governor said that one of the offenders in that case was a minor.
A new law was especially passed in the Rajya Sabha lowering the age of offenders from 18 to 16 so that they can be tried in court for crimes like rapes. It’s time we start taking the Nirbhayas to hospitals immediately, instead of letting them lie on the roads for hours.He called upon the security forces particularly the Police to play a proactive role in handling the crime cases against women. Insensitivity on the part of Police cannot be tolerated in such cases, he added. A dedicated helpline and control room for all women-related crimes should be set up. The control room should be fitted with all the latest gadgets and technologies. All the state police should develop apps for woman, be it used for a distress call or domestic violence. Patrolling needs to be intensified in ‘sensitive areas’, the policeman on the beat must be made to understand that sexual crimes are as important as offences like robbery.Giving a clear message to the youngsters, the Governor advised them to spend more time on sports and other activities. If youth is unfocused, violence against women will rise, he said. Addressing on the occasion MP Kirron Kher advocated the Beti Parao Beti Bachao Movement initiated by the Prime Minister Narender Modi.
She said that education makes the girls self reliant. Speaking on the occasion Director General of Police, Mr. Tajender Singh Luthra said that the Women and Child Unit of Chandigarh Police has been conducting Self Defense Training Programme since 2012 for the girls of the schools and colleges of Chandigarh. As many as 5000 girls have been trained under this programme till date. Besides this Special Summer camps on self defence have also been organized by the Chandigarh Police. So far 2573 girls have been trained on self defence techniques during the year 2017, added Mr. Luthra.Later, the Governor handed over 45 Activa Bikes to the Women Police officials which would work round the clock to redress the problems of the women and children in Chandigarh.Earlier, during the function, the Governor released the posters and pamphlets of SWAYAM and honoured various school Principals and self defence trainers.Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Mr. Parimal Rai, Adviser to Administrator, Mr. Arun Grover, Vice Chancellor, Punjab University, Chandigarh and other senior civil and police officers.