Chandigarh, March 10- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal while addressing the gathering during a state level function organized on the occasion of International Women’s Day held today in Karnal said that everyone should take a resolution to prevent violence against women and ensure giving them a safe and secure atmosphere.
“In Indian tradition women hold high esteem and it is believed that Gods reside in places where a woman is worshiped therefore it becomes our utmost responsibility to ensure the safety and security of women,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
While highlighting the role of women in everyone’s life, the Chief Minister said that they say that “Behind every successful man there is a woman” and my mother has been a large part of the success and the position where I have been able to reach today.
Sharing his personal experience, Sh. Manohar Lal said that when he had passed the 10th standard and desired to pursue further education, his father had denied him the same, it was his mother who gave him Rs. 300 to get admission in college.
“I dedicate my success to my mother, if she would have not given me money to pursue my higher education then I might have not reached this position,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister said that instead of celebrating International Women's Day, this day should be celebrated as ‘Mahila Samman Diwas’.
State Government has tied up with Flipkart, so as to ensure that the products of SHGs can be sold digitally across the country and the globe
The Chief Minister said that today there are 56,434 Self-Help Groups (SGHs) in Haryana and financial assistance of Rs 796 crore has been given to them. The State Government has tied up with Flipkart, so as to ensure that the products produced by SGHs can be sold digitally across the country and the globe.
“This step would certainly increase their income, while their products will also get international recognition. For imparting training to Self-Help Groups, a training centre has been opened at Gharaunda at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crore. More such centres will also be opened in other parts of the state,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister urged the members of the SHGs to link all such women who have a family income of less than Rs.1 lakh with their groups so that the economic condition of these women can be improved.
We are relentlessly working towards women empowerment
The Chief Minister said that today women are shining bright in every field, be it education, sports, social service, politics or science, and women are bringing laurels. Women also have played an instrumental role in the development of Haryana, added Sh. Manohar Lal.
“In a bid to empower women, we have ensured 50 percent representation of women in Panchayats and Civic Bodies. Haryana is the first one to introduce such a system. We are also taking numerous steps towards women empowerment along with ensuring education, safety, and self-respect for every daughter of Haryana,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister further informed that the representation of daughters in the police, which was 6 percent in 2014, has increased to 10 percent today and a target has been set to increase this to 15 percent in the coming years.
Not only this, 33 percent reservation has been given to women in allotment of ration depots. Durga Shakti App, Durga Shakti Vahini and Durga Shakti Rapid Action Force are some of the key steps taken by the State Government for the prevention of crimes against women. Apart from this, 29 women police stations have been established in Haryana, shared Sh. Manohar Lal.
Haryana once known for female feticide is now celebrating the birth of every girl Child, Manohar Lal
The Chief Minister said that Haryana which was once known for female feticide is now celebrating the birth of every girl child. All this has become possible because of the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi's unique Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign which was started on January 22, 2015, from Panipat.
"The State government, social organizations, Khap Panchayats, NGOs, Education, Women and Child Development and Health Departments have made tireless efforts to improve the gender ratio in Haryana. Besides this, the Police also ensured strict action against those involved in female feticide. It is only because of these dedicated efforts that today in Haryana there are 923 girls for every 1000 boys. While in the year 2014, the number was 871 girls for every 1000 boys," said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Special emphasis is given to educating every daughter
The Chief Minister said that the state government had paid special attention to women's education. In the last 8 years, a college has been constructed every 20 km, so that girls do not have to travel long distances for their studies. We have established 72 colleges, out of which 31 colleges are exclusively for women, shared Sh. Manohar Lal.
He said that the state government has started the Harihar Yojana for the rehabilitation of orphan children. Under this scheme, till now, 2 boys have been given jobs.
Daughters of Haryana are shining bright on the world map, Devender Singh Babli
Development and Panchayat Minister, Sh. Devender Singh Babli said that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal the daughters of Haryana are shining bright on the world map. Today, the women of the state, especially those living in the villages are also equally empowered in every field, he said.
Sh. Devender Singh Babli said that since the year 2023-24 has been declared as the International Year of Millets. Millet cultivation and its value added products are being promoted by Self-Help Groups of the State. A total of Rs 5.78 crore has been given as a grant amount to the Self-Help Groups, which will lead to the development and upliftment of the women of the state.
He further said that the Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission is leaving no stone unturned to provide assistance to the Antyodaya families identified under Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana. Besides this, other departments are also working together for the betterment of the rural people, especially women.
Sh. Devender Singh Babli further informed that so far 5,79,958 families have been linked to 56,434 groups in all the districts of the state under the Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission.
I feel extremely proud to be a part of a government that is relentlessly working towards women empowerment, Kamlesh Dhanda
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Kamlesh Dhanda said that on the occasion of International Women's Day, she feels extremely proud to be a part of a government that has been continuously taking several steps towards women empowerment along with ensuring education, safety, self-respect and good health to every daughter of Haryana.
“Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi in the country and Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal in the state are relentlessly working towards women empowerment. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign launched by the Prime Minister has played a pivotal role in improving the sex ratio in Haryana.
She further informed that as many as 72 new colleges were opened in the last 8 years under the leadership of the Chief Minister, out of which 31 colleges are for girls.
MP, Sh. Sanjay Bhatia, MLA, Sh. Harvinder Kalyan, Ram Kumar Kashyap, Mahipal Dhanda, Dharam Pal Gonder, Nirmal Chaudhary, Additional Chief Secretary, Development and Panchayats Department, Sh. Anil Malik, Commissioner and Secretary, Women and Child Development Department, Smt. Amneet P Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Karnal, Sh. Anish Yadav and other officers also remained present on this occasion.