On the occasion of International Women’s Day, District Administration Udhampur today organized womens’ bicycle rally to spread out the message of gender equality, women rights with the theme “Each and Equal” at Mahila Shakti Kendra Udhampur.District Development Commissioner, Dr. Piyush Singla flagged off the bicycle rally organized by ICDS Department in collaboration with UB Randonneurs cyclists Association.The bicycle rally commenced from Mahila Shakti Kendra Udhampur and culminated at DC Office Udhampur spreading awareness about women empowerment. An impressive function was also organized by district Administration Udhampur at Conference Hall DC Office Complex. Dr. Piyush Singla was the chief guest on the occasion. Different theme based cultural items, Nukad Natak and Skit on BBBP were presented by the students of Shivalik College of Education, and Anganwadi workers of ICDS which were highly appreciated by the audiences on the occasion.At the outset, PO ICDS Udhampur Attar Chand in his welcome address threw light on the history and importance of celebrating the International Women Day. He said that the day is celebrated every year to spread awareness about the rights of women and to prevent violence against them. While speaking on the occasion, DDC congratulated all the participants to create awareness among the masses. DDC said that the main objective of this programme is to create awareness among the common masses about the scheme Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. He said that the women of the District are excelling in all the fields and lauded the performance of various women’s achievers like Baby Ananya Sharma, Baby Khushi and others who are bringing laurels to the district.
DDC said that such awareness programmes would help in ensuring empowerment of women through education and equal participation in all the working fields besides preventing gender biased sex selective elimination of girl child. DDC said that special help line Jeeney Do has been established to register the complaints against violators of PC&PNDT Act. He also added that Mahila Shakti Kendra has been established for the welfare of women they can approach this centre for awareness about different welfare schemes.DDC appreciated the efforts made by ICDS departments for generation awareness among the masses. DDC also highlighted the various provisions of the PC&PNDT Act in order to prevent gender biased sex selective elimination of girl child. He asked the participants to sensitize the general public about the issues related to social, health and female foeticide.Women Welfare Officer, Mahila Shakti Kendra Udhampur Jyoti Pathania also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the importance of the Day. She laid stress on the education of the girls and asked the common masses to educate their girls.Later, the chief guest distributed mementoes among the participants on the occasion. The function concluded with the vote of thanks by Nodal Officer BBBP Udhampur.Among others, Assistant Commissioner Development, Mushtaq Choudhary, District Information Officer, Er. Sajad Bashir Somberia, and other officers of different departments, besides CDPOs, PRIs, and Supervisors, Anganwadi workers and staff members and students of various educational institutions were present.