The Women and Child Development Department, Punjab, today held a State level function here for celebrating ‘Dhiyan Di Lohri’. The Social Security, Women and Child Development and Transport Minister Aruna Chaudhary participated as the Chief Guest while the Lok Sabha MP from Gurdaspur Mr. Sunil Jakhar was the Special Guest. The celebrations also saw MLA Gurdaspur Mr. Barindermeet Singh Pahra, MLA Sri Hargobindpur Mr. Balwinder Singh Laadi, Senior Congress leader Mr. Ashok Chaudhary, Director Social Security and Women and Child Development Mrs. Kavita Singh, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Vipul Ujjwal and District Programme Officer Sumandeep Kaur.Addressing a large gathering in the incessant rain, Mrs. Aruna Chaudhary congratulated the mothers of newly born girls as well as the Sarpanches of 20 Gram Panchayats and emphasized that according equal opportunities to the girls is the prime need of the hour.The minister also said that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, opportunities to the girls at par with the boys are being provided throughout the state in accordance with the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. The minister also said that she would soon meet the Chief Minister and demand reservation of seats in the buses for women besides the school and college going girls so as to make sure that they encounter no difficulty.Mrs. Chaudhary added that it is indicative of the positive thinking of the Punjab Government that ‘Dhiyan Di Lohri’ is observed at the state level.
Going further, the minister said that the 11 districts of the state have seen considerable improvement in the female sex ratio. In Ferozepur the ratio is 916 girls after 1000 boys which is commendable. The minister also detailed that as per the Mai Bhago Scheme, free cycles would be provided in the state to 1,38,066 girls and the initiative has been kicked off today with distribution to 65 girls in Gurdaspur. Furthermore, cycles are also being distributed to 9597 girls of 11th and 12th standard in Gurdaspur District.Elaborating more, the minister said that the Captain Amarinder Singh led government has ensured protection of women’s rights and has reserved 50 percent seats in the Zila Parishads and the Panchayats which has contributed to the increase in stature of women in society. The minister also divulged that ‘One Stop Centres’ throughout every district of Punjab would be established at a cost of Rs. 35 lakh where the efforts would be made to protect needy women from domestic violence.In his address on the occasion, Lok Sabha MP from Gurdaspur Mr. Sunil Jakhar said that stupendous and laudable efforts have been made by the Punjab Government aimed at the empowerment of women and helping them move ahead in life. He also appreciated the colourful presentations by the children from various schools, Children Homes and Anganwadi Centres and announced Rs. 5 lakh from his MP fund for overall development of the children home.
The MLA from Gurdaspur Mr. Barindermeet Singh Pahra on the occasion said that the Punjab Government is affording opportunities to girls on par with the boys and has chalked out developmental policies keeping women’s rights in mind.Earlier, the Chief Guest Mrs. Aruna Chaudhary distributed cycles to 65 girls. The minister also saw and praised the exhibitions put up by the different departments. After that, the mothers of the newly born girls were honoured along with the 20 Gram Panchayats who had made immense contribution in making the people of their villages aware regarding the increase in sex ratio of the girls. The Anganwadi Workers and the winning infant girls of the healthy baby show were also honoured on the occasion.The officers from the department who were facilitated for contributing towards the success of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna and increase in the sex ratio included District Programme Officer Barnala Mr. Sukhdeep Singh, District Programme Officer Ferozepur Mrs. Ratandeep Kaur, District Programme Officer Patiala Mr. Sukhdeep Singh, Child Development Project Officer Barnala Mr. Arvinder Singh Bhatti, Child Development Project Officer Abohar Mrs. Geeta Rani and the Child Development Project Officer Derabassi in District Mohali Mrs. Inderjit Kaur. On the occasion ANM Thanewal Satinder Kaur was also felicitated.