Bhopal: In an unimpeachable statement vis-à-vis gender equality, President Droupadi Murmu averred on Wednesday that women self-help groups are empowering the entire country; members of the fair sex possess the strength to reach the Parliament from the panchayat and it is “our duty” to provide them the opportunity.
Addressing a convention of women SHGs organised in the Madhya Pradesh capital by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, the First Citizen said, “SHG members ought not to view their work as small-scale. During my tenure as corporator, I was bestowed charge of cleanliness-related activities. However, I never grudged it but only toiled ceaselessly and diligently. In my present capacity, I am visiting numerous places but having an experience of a different kind here. I was informed that this state boasts lakhs of women SHGs that are strengthening entire society and the country. In excess of 17,000 ladies were elected to panchayats in Madhya Pradesh. Even our culture and the Puranas accord priority and respect to mothers. The mother’s place is stated to be loftier than even those of the father and the teacher. When the Almighty did not discriminate between women and men, why should we? Erstwhile prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee believed that the son and the daughter are both children of the nation; the country will develop only if both are made to advance. We have to create an environment wherein women feel fearless and independent. With ladies’ cooperation alone, India shall emerge as a force to reckon with in the foreseeable future.”
In her approximately 20-minute-long speech, the Supreme Commander consistently underlined the robust contribution by ladies towards the country’s development.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union and state ministers.
