The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

International Women’s Day
CM announces sops for women
l Women staff to get 2-year maternity leave
l Maternity and childcare hospital to be set up in Dehradun at a cost of Rs 30 cr
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 8
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today announced that two years’ leave would be given to women employees of the state government during their service tenure to look after their children. He made the announcement at a function, which was held to celebrate the completion of four years’ of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime in the state that also coincided with International Women’s Day.

A speaker at a function in Dehradun on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

Complimenting the women on the occasion, the Chief Minister also said hostels would be built for girls at the tehsil level in a bid to promote girls’ education in the remote and far-flung areas. An ultra-modern maternity and childcare hospital will be set up in Dehradun at a cost of Rs 30 crore, he added.

Nishank took the opportunity to highlight the achievements of his government and assured the audience that there would be no shortage of food grains for his ambitious “Atal Adarsh Yojana” to provide cheap rations to below poverty line (BPL) and above poverty line (APL) families in the state. He also accused the Union Government of bias in reducing the quota of food grains to the state.

He also released an official booklet highlighting the achievements of his state government on the occasion.

Nurses donate blood to mark Women’s Day

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, nursing staff of the Doon Hospital took time off from their busy schedule to donate blood.

The donation camp was held under the aegis of the Uttarakhand State Aids Control Society (USACS) at the Blood Bank, in which 25 nurses donated blood.

Meanwhile, Mamta Samajik Sanstha organised a rally to mark Women’s Day today. More than 200 women and adolescent girls from 20 villages who are part of the Kushal Kishori Pariyojana from the Vikas Nagar block, participated in the rally.

Speaking on the occasion, Beena Walia, Senior Programme Officer, Mamta Samajik Sansthan, said access to education, training in science and technology should be the right of the every girl.

Declamation contest held

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Women’s Study Centre and Debating Club of MKP PG College organised a declamation contest on the college premises here today.

A large number of girls participated in the declamation. The topics of the competition were “The status of women in India is satisfactory”, “There is a gender discrimination in the family”, “Marriage is the constraint to the freedom of women”, “Women achievers of modern India” and “Career for women at what cost”.

The audience was enthralled by the verve, wit and vivacity of the participants. Principal of the college Indu Singh appreciated efforts of the students and their teachers, who had prepared them for the competition.

Along with teachers and students of the college, associate professor of the Department of Political Science Dr Renu Saxena and associate professor of the Department of Botany Dr Neelam Ghildiyal judged the participants of the competition.

Women achievers honoured

Nivedita Kukreti, IPS officer, being honoured in Dehradun on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

Women from different walks of life, who did commendable work in their fields, were awarded on the International Women’s Day at a city hotel in a function organised jointly by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the State Planning Commission here today.

According to information, among those felicitated included writer of 20 books Vandana, founder of Riverdale School Surjit Singh Ahluwalia, Indian skiier Preeti Dimri and first woman from India to reach Mount Everest Bachendri Pal. Three policewomen, including IPS Nivideta Kukreti, Haridwar ASP Neelam Rawat, Senior Sub-Inspector Sadhana Tyagi posted at Women’s Helpline, Roorkee, were also honoured at the function

“I am nervous today, but I am happy that we are awarded. I remember DIG Sanjay Gunjyal who has always motivated us to do well,” said Roorkee (Rural) Women’s Helpline in charge Sadhana.

SSI Neelam, who has solved several murder cases, feels proud of being a woman. “I never felt any difference between men and women. I spent 18 hours a day in the police station. I am single and have enough time to devote to my profession”.

UKD seeks punishment for Tiraha accused

The women wing of the Uttrakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) observed International Women’s Day by demanding severe punishment for the accused in infamous Mujaffar episode and Rampur Tiraha incident.

In charge of the Garhwal Mandal Promila Rawat criticised the state government for failing to place its viewpoint effectively in the court, which was why she said, “Till date the perpetrators of the crime were still at large.”

Applauding women for creating niche in almost all possible walks of life, she sent across a message to them to pursue their respective calling and attain success in life. She also advocated reservation for them in the Parliament saying that this was the only way to facilitate corridor of power to them, which would also in a way lessen the scourge of corruption in the politics.

She decried the inherent weaknesses abound in the policies formulated for the welfare of women, which were not effective on the ground.

District president NK Gusai called the BJP anti-women party for its alleged expulsion of district panchayat president of Pithoragarh Ranjana Devi and Madhu Chauhan of Dehradun on February 4 and 19, respectively, for which he said, “The UKD has burnt the effigies of the state government each time.”

Party president Trivender Singh Panwar and founder member Kashi Singh Aeri reached at the end of the programme. Gita Bisht, Asha Sharma, Pushpa Mamgai, Sunil Bisht and Dr DP Thakriyal were present on the occasion.

Role of women in nation’s growth highlighted

Tribute were paid to the glorious achievements of women in developing the nation on the occasion of International Women’s Day, here today.

The conference was conducted on the premises of the college, where the experts associated with the Women Study Centre from all over state gathered to participate in the ceremony.

Bironkhal MLA Amrita Rawat threw light on the contribution made by the women in development of the nation. “In the present scenario, women are nowhere behind man and are equally competitive in every field. The women, especially in the hilly areas need to shed their inhibitions and should come forward with their issues. Women should also be aware about their rights,” asserted Amrita.

The conference consisted of two sessions, where eminent guests such as BBC correspondent Shalini Joshi and senior scientists of the Uttarakhand State Council for Sciences and Technology (UCOST) shared their experiences on the occasion.

Economic independence ex-DGP’s mantra

Sharing her mantra of success, former state DGP Dr Kanchan Chaudhury Bhattacharya today said economic independence not only boosts confidence of a woman, but also makes her self-reliant.

“Economic independence can only come through education and the society must invest considerable amount in educating women,” she said. She was speaking today at a programme organised to mark International Women’s Day, organised by the Uttarakhand State Aids Control Society (USACS).

On the other hand, chairperson of the Bar Council of Uttarakhand Razia Beig said the focus of women empowerment programmes should now shift to the villages. “Women residing in the rural hinterland are unaware of several programmes launched for their welfare. Unless they are educated, reservation of a certain percentage of seats in the panchayats will have no meaning,” she said.

While principal of Arsh Kanya Gurukul Dr Anapoorna said women should launch an all-out war against corruption. “We need to guard against moral depravity and mothers can play a big role in instilling values among children,” said Annapoorna.

On the occasion, a book dedicated to the women empowerment written by Dr Deepa Bisht who is a councillor at the ART Centre of the Doon Hospital was also released.

Additional director of the Aids Control Society Dr PC Kapri and joint director of the blood safety Dr Meenakshi Uniyal were present on the occasion.

Women assn holds rally

The All-India Democratic Women’s Association observed Women’s Day by staging a rally from the Ghanta Ghar to the Secretariat to mark their protest against the failure of the state government on many fronts.

State president Indu Naudiyal highlighted the condition of poor roads, expulsion of women presidents of two district panchyats, ineffective implementation of the Atal Khadyann Yojana, increasing incidents of atrocities against women and hikes in patrol prices as some of the major reasons, where the state government failed badly.

She demanded timely redressal of these grievances. Sumitra Rawat, Surji Chauhan, Pushpa, Sabra, Prema Rana and Kusum Naudiyal participated in the rally.

132 women of self-help groups get revolving fund

On the occasion of Women’s Day and golden jubilee celebration of the Urban Employment Scheme, the revolving fund was distributed among women members of self-help groups, here today.

The Dehradun Municipal Corporation, Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) gave the funds to 132 women members of 14 groups.

Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli distributed the cheques worth Rs 15,8,400 among all. The programme was conducted to create awareness among women, especially belonging to the socially weaker background.

PM urged to support Women’s Reservation Bill

Nainital: On the occasion of International Women’s Day today, a delegation of the All-India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) demanded a universal Public Distribution System (PDS), measures to rein in inflation and the presentation of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lower House of Parliament.

A delegation of the organisation submitted a memorandum, containing these demands, to the local administration authorities to be forwarded to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. It was pointed out that a lack of political will on the part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre, which is dependant on certain forces opposed to the Bill, is preventing the introduction of the Bill in the Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister and the members of Parliament have been urged to support the Bill so that democracy can be strengthened in the country.

The organisation has also sought strong measures to check rampant corruption that has come to light in the cases pertaining to Adarsh Society, 2G Spectrum allotment, Commonwealth Games etc.

The Prime Minister has also been urged to ensure steps to check the growing instances of violence against women, which is being witnessed in the new forms like cyber crime. The members of AIDWA have pointed out that the new forms of violence are a byproduct of the consumerism that is dominant in the market-driven economy.

Referring to Uttarakhand, it has been demanded that hydro-power projects, which are detrimental to the environment, must be scrapped. They have sought the release of activist Sushila Bhandari from Rudraprayag, who has been imprisoned for opposing such projects. The women have pointed out that various projects are being executed in violation of the norms. They have asserted that a development model, which does not include the local populace, is not acceptable to them.

The women have also demanded that disaster relief be provided immediately to those families which are headed by women.

Men take back seat in Haridwar

Haridwar: On the occasion of the 111th International Women’s Day today, several programmes were held in the district. It seemed that men had taken a back seat while acknowledging women’s achievements.

Under the aegis of the Women In Public Sector (WIPS), a conference was organised at the engineering block of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) in which women achievers also participated along with the other sections of society.

Noted religious-spiritual personality Meena Kumari of the Brahamkumari sect, said women in India, be it in the mythological era or present times, had got their names written in golden letters by dint of their achievements.

Geeta Bhatnagar, from the Ranipur chapter of WIPS, shed light on the inception, role, aim and working of WIPS.

“Women from every walk of life are now showing their skills as writers, poets and journalists in Haridwar. I take inspiration from many women who are not in limelight but do provide inspiration to others. Girls need motivation, family support and a society view that takes them with respect and they are eager to prove themselves, though if we are not given that then it makes our resolve stronger,” said Radhika Nagrath, who was awarded for her contribution to the field of literature.

The others who spoke included Anjali Mittal, Neelam Sodhi, Dr Anjali Mishra, Dr Sarita Gupta, Poonam Singh, Monika Tanwar, Manjula, Rajkumari, Sushmit Singh, Vimal Kumar, Dr NC Aggarwal and BHEL city administrator Rajeev Bhatnagar.

Another conference was organised by the Vaisya Ladies Club at Arya Samaj Mandir, Sector 1, BHEL, where women orators dwelt on the role women can play to make India a developed and corruption-free state.

Dr Sartia Gupta, who was the chief guest, said while women were walking shoulder to shoulder with men, they needed to be in politics in large numbers to eradicate the social menace of corruption.

“By celebrating Women’s Day once in a year will not change much the status of womanhood, women have to come forward by playing a pivotal role in the governing bodies like the civic bodies, legislative Assembly and Parliament which will change not only the state of women, but also of our male-dominated society,” said Saroj Sahu, general secretary of the club. Rashmi Gupta, Ira Gupta, Beena Aggarwal, Brijbala Gupta, Nidhi Garg, Beena Gupta, Suman Mittal, Poonam Gupta, Rekha Aggarwal, Rama Singhla and Bindu also spoke.

Meanwhile, a poetic evening was also organised at Shivlok Colony in the city. The poets through their verses focused on the importance, role and plight of women. It was held under the aegis of Sahityik Manch.

The evening began with Meena Singh Negi singing a Saraswati vandana, followed by her compilations.

A forum was organised at Saptsarowar by the Nari Jagran Manch (NJM), which dwelt on the Women’s Reservation Bill, which is yet to get the nod of the lower house of Parliament.

Anita Tripathi, chief of the NJM, also shed light on the implementation of the schemes for women. She said these government-run schemes needed better implementation as well as publicity so that women got to know about these.

‘Intoxication main cause of domestic violence’

Pithoragarh (OC): Vice-chairperson, State Women’s Commission, Gita Thakur, speaking at a programme to celebrate Women’s Day, blamed the habit of intoxication among men in the state for domestic violence towards women.

Thakur said the problem was not coming into control despite the government’s efforts to empower women in the state. “The state has to sell liquor to gain revenue, but the state government is committed to empower women through self-employment,” said Thakur.

She further said, “The presence of dowry-related violence in the state is very less as traditional marriages in the hills have less role of money. Though this is gradually increasing after these regions came into contact with the people from outside, who spend lavishly in marriages”.

Thakur said to prevent women panchayat members’ husbands from attending meetings in place of their elected wives, the commission would soon draft a bill to sue these violators.

Cultural programmes held

Winners of a fancy dress competition in Mussoorie on Tuesday.

Mussoorie (OC): The International Women’s day was celebrated with fervour on the gurdwara premises under aegis of the Rubina Women Institute and Jan Shiksha Sansthan in here today.

The women presented several cultural programmes on the occasion. A fancy dress competition was also organised on the occasion, in which Sujata was adjudged winner for the Tamil Nadu women attire, Suman was adjudged runner up for dressing up in traditional Garhwali costume and Sonia presenting the Rajasthani attire was adjudged third, respectively.

The girls of the middle junior school won the award for painting. Eminent social activist Sadhna Sannon presented the citation and awards. Sadhna said Women's Day began as a socialist political event. The idea of having an International Women's Day was first put forward at the turn of the 20th century amid rapid world industrialisation and economic expansion that led to protests over working conditions. Sadna said the route to empowerment of women was through education.