Chandigarh August 2: While celebrating the festival of Raksha Bandhan, amid the global health challenges of COVID -19 Pandemic, in a unique way, Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal today interacted with as many as 650 women from various fields during a webinar 'Mhari Baat-Mhare Manohar Ke Sath' held here today.

Highlighting the importance of ‘Raksha Bandhan’, Chief Minister said, “The relationship of brother and sister is very special and on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan I congratulate and extend my best wishes to all."

He said that from times immemorial women have been given a special place in our society and we should always hold them in high esteem.

The webinar was organized by the Sashakt Yuva Foundation wherein women participated from various fields, including renowned singer Himani Kapoor, Class XII toppers, Vice-Chancellors of various Universities, Lawyers, Doctors and Panchayat representatives. During the webinar, women thanked the Chief Minister for giving them a golden opportunity to directly interact with him and share their views with him. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also thanked around 200 women for sending Rakhis and messages to him.

The Chief Minister said that ensuring the safety of women and daughters is the top-most priority of the State Government and several important steps have been taken in this direction. He said that the State Government in its previous tenure and this time also had given special focus on the education and empowerment of women.

“Dedicated efforts have been made to ensure that daughters are treated equal to boys. It is a matter of great pride that girls have always outshone boys be it in education, sports, politics, etc”, he said.

While responding to the issue raised by Pooja Khasa, a B-Pharmacy student regarding bus service especially for girl students in Baroda in Sonipat district, Mr. Manohar Lal said," The concerned officers will be directed to make the necessary transport arrangements immediately. While, 'Chattra Parivahan Suraksha’ has already been implemented in the State for ensuring safety of girl students in public transport.”

“We had taken a pledge to provide higher education to every daughter residing in the State by opening at least one Government college within a radius of 10 km. Reiterating our commitment and taking another step towards women empowerment 10 new women colleges will be opened in the State. Among these new colleges one will be opened in Firozepur Jhirka in Nuh district,” said Mr. Manohar Lal while responding to a question asked by Shaheen Khan, a student residing in Nuh district, regarding State Government’s plan for higher education.

Sharing the details about State Government’s steps taken for women safety, Mr. Manohar Lal said that with a view to ensure safety of women and instill among them a sense of security and confidence, 31 Women Police Stations have been opened in the State. Besides this, ‘Durga Shakti App’ has also been launched which enables women to seek immediate help of police through Women Helpline Number 1091 in case of emergency.

Talking about the state’s once-alarming gender ratio, the Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride that Haryana has marked an incredible improvement on this front ever since the implementation of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative. “Further ,various steps towards women empowerment have been taken and following the same the representation of women in the state police force would be increased to 15 per cent in the next five years,” he said.

Responding to a question asked by Dr. Simran, a resident of Karnal district regarding State Government’s plan to improve menstrual hygiene among young girls and women, the Chief Minister said that efforts are being made to ensure 100 per cent availability of sanitary napkins to every daughter in the state. A scheme will be launched soon for this. He said that the availability of sanitary napkins in each school will be ensured on priority basis.

Likewise women also thanked Chief Minister for his initiatives taken for increasing women participation in Panchyats, providing various online platforms for school and college students during COVID-19 Pandemic and efforts being taken for water conservation by implementing ‘Mera Pani Meri Virasat Scheme’.

While concluding the webinar, the Chief Minister was all praise for women participants, especially for their awareness regarding every issue and hoped that the women of Haryana will continue to shine in future as well.