Minister
for Information & Broadcasting Shri M Venkaiah Naidu has said that Women
Empowerment, Emancipation and Equality were the three critical factors defining
the role of Women in Nation’s Development. The Government stood committed in providing
equal rights and opportunities for Women and girl through multiple Initiatives.
At the same time, Minister expressed concern over the stereotypical portrayal
of Women in Movies which led to increased objectification. The Minister stated
this while delivering his address on the occasion of DD News celebrating its
100th Episode of Tejasvini. Minister of State Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore was
also present on the occasion.
Elaborating
further, Shri Naidu mentioned various initiatives of the Government to address
issues related to Women & Girl Child. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme
was aimed at behavioural change which would also change the mind-sets of the
people about the role of Women. The Sukanya Samriddhi scheme provided financial
security to our daughters. #SelfieWithDaughters campaign launched by Prime Minister
through his Mann ki Baat became a Worldwide phenomenon trending among top 5
across the world.
Shri
Naidu also felicitated 14 Tejasvini from different walks of life on the
occasion. The Minister also inaugurated the Tejaswini YouTube link on the
occasion.
Speaking
on the occasion, the Minister said that the media should play a greater role in
informing Women about their rights and Nari Shakti programmes should be
encouraged across media platforms. It was imperative to draw from the valuable
contributions and examples set by great Women leaders and intellectuals who
have adorned the history of our nation. He added that, our nation has come a
long way in bringing up the social pedestal on which Women stand. While we have
emerged from regressive attitudes and practices of the past, gender equality
and sensitisation still remain a task to be fulfilled.
Adding
further, Shri Naidu said that the role of Indian Women and their contributions
are evident in each and every field. Indian Women are playing an important
Leadership role as bankers, space scientists, police, and corporate
professionals. In the software Industry 30% of the workforce is female. Indian
Women have also showed their prowess in the field of sports like PV Sindhu in
Badminton, Sakshi Malik in Wrestling and Mary Kom in boxing. Even in the
current government, female colleagues are providing leadership in important
portfolios such as External Affairs, Commerce and Women & Child.
Regarding
the extra ordinary efforts of Women, the Minister said that the story of a
spirited 105-year-old Kunwar Bai from Chhattisgarh was an inspiration for all
of us to emulate who was recently felicitated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister as
the mascot for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
Speaking
on the occasion of Celebration of 100th episode of Tejasvini Programme, Shri
Naidu said that inspirational stories of the famous Women and interviews of
achievers would motivate ‘unnoticed’ Women. `He urged Prasar Bharati to play a
vital role in spreading the message of the numerous schemes the government runs
for the girl child, adolescent girl and Women. Creating and developing
programmes which carried the message, preferably in a subtle manner, of the
latent talent and strength Women possessed. This would strengthen the Women
movement in the country
Speaking
earlier, Women and child development Minister, Smt. Maneka Gandhi outlined the
initiatives taken by her Ministry towards Women Empowerment. Smt. Gandhi
specifically highlighted the “We are equal campaign” initiated by Ministry on
social media to promote the idea of equality.
List of Tejasvinis felicitated
by Hon’ble Minister
1. Ms. Deepa Malik, Paralympic 2017 Silver Medalist
2. Ms. Sunita Chaudhary, Delhi’s First Auto Rickshaw Driver
3. Ms. Geetanjali Babbar, Social Activist Working for Sex
Workers
4. Ms. Archana Ramasundaram, First Woman Head of a Paramilitary
Wing
5. Pandita Anuradha Pal, World’s First
Woman Professional Tabla Player
6. Dr. Sonal Mansigh, Bharatnatyam Artist
7. Ms. Usha Chomar, Swachchta Ambassador
8. Ms. Prathistha Saraswat, Yogacharya
9. Wing Commander Pooja Thakur
10. Ms. Pragya Ghildiyal, Best Sports person with disabilities
11. Ms. Rupa, – Acid Attack Survivor
12. Ms. Madhu, Acid Attack Survivor
13. Ms. Neetu, Acid Attack Survivor
14. Ms. Santosh Yadav, Mountaineer
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CP/GV
