New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in greeting half of the country’s population on International Women’s Day on Tuesday. The day marks celebration of social, economic, cultural, and political achievements made by women. It also calls for action to accelerate recognition of equality towards them that has been long overdue. The theme this year is ‘#BreakTheBias’. President Kovind took to Twitter to greey women for the contribution and said: “Women are making exemplary contributions in all walks of life. Let us recommit ourselves to ensure their safety and dignity and to provide opportunities to each of them to pursue their dreams and aspirations.” Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said: “On this day, let us collectively strive to build a gender neutral world by ensuring that women are not discriminated against in any form. Let us resolve to empower women by upholding their dignity, ensuring their safety and providing them with equal opportunities. #WomensDay.” The Prime Minister said: “On Women’s Day, I salute our Nari Shakti and their accomplishments in diverse fields. The Government of India will keep focusing on women empowerment through its various schemes with an emphasis on dignity as well as opportunity. “From financial inclusion to social security, quality healthcare to housing, education to entrepreneurship, many efforts have been made to put our Nari Shakti at the forefront of India’s development journey. These efforts will continue with even greater vigour in the coming times.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah said: “On ‘International Women’s Day’, salute to women power, the epitome of courage and bravery. Human development is incomplete without women empowerment. “The Modi government is instilling new confidence in the mother power by making them strong, due to which they are making the country proud with their achievements in every field.” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, too greeted women on Twitter, and said : “Women are capable of transforming a society by their wisdom, dedication and strength. They must get their long pending due.” He tweeted a photo of a step pyramid with women climbing to its top. Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee tweeted: “To women & girls across the world – claim your space, be proud of your achievements, keep shining. You have the power to do anything you want, do not let anyone tell you otherwise. To everyone else, let’s make this world a better place for all!” President Kovind also conferred Nari Shakti Puraskar for the year 2020 and 2021 at a ceremony in Rashtrapathi Bhawan. The award ceremony for the year 2020 could not be held in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic. Nari Shakti Puraskar is an initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development to acknowledge the exceptional contribution made by individuals and institutions, to celebrate women as game changers and catalyst of positive change in the society. In all, 28 awards will be presented. The winners for the year 2020 are from diverse fields — entrepreneurship, agriculture, innovation, social work, arts and crafts, STEMM, and wildlife conservation. UNI JA ING
