NABARD Jammu & Kashmir Regional Office today celebrated the International Women’s Day 2020 at Kristu Jyoti Social Welfare Society, Samba.Chief Planning Officer ,Samba, Sukhleen Kaur was the Chief Guest on the occasion, while BDO Samba Rupinder Kaur and Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Samba were Guests of Honour. The function was attended by women from various Self Help Groups, Joint Liability Groups and Farmers’ Producers Organisations.Speaking on the occasion, Chief General Manager, NABARD J&K Regional Office, P.Balachandran highlighted various schemes and programmes of NABARD for the welfare and economic up liftment of rural women. He appreciated the efforts of all the stakeholders and urged the women to acquire requisite skills for taking up some income generating activities individually or in groups and avail bank loan for starting up a livelihood activity so that they may earn respectable income to support their families.CPO Samba Sukhleen Kaur congratulated the women on the occasion of International Women’s Day and highlighted the importance of economic and social empowerment of women. She expressed satisfaction over the fact that the rural women in Samba were not only aware of the various developmental programmes and schemes of the Central and UT Govt. meant for their welfare but were also availing benefits of the same. She also laid emphasis on the importance of girls’ education and women’s health. The women from SHGs, JLGs and FPOs shared their success stories with others on the occasion. Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Chief Medical Officer Samba, Dr.Rajinder Sambyal, Cluster Head J&K Bank, Arun Kapoor, Distt. Co-ordinator Punjab National Bank, Regional Manager J&K Grameen Bank, Amit Laira and Director RSETI Samba Bikramjeet Singh. The Chief Guest & CGM NABARD handed over sanction letters and cheques to some of SHGs and JLGs, which were credit linked with banks.A short documentary film prepared by NABARD on SHGs in Udhampur district was also launched and screened on the occasion.