Ahmedabad, Aug 27 (IANS) Union Home and Cooperation Minister and Gandhinagar Lok Sabha MP Amit Shah on Thursday extended Raksha Bandhan greetings to the people of Gujarat and the country, using the occasion to underline the need to strengthen women’s safety, education, economic independence and participation in nation-building.
In a message issued ahead of Raksha Bandhan on August 28, Union Minister Shah said the festival symbolised the bond of love, trust and affection between brothers and sisters, as well as the responsibility towards the safety, dignity and self-respect of women.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was working with the resolve to make ‘Nari Shakti’ a force for national strength by placing women’s empowerment at the centre of development,” he added.
He cited initiatives including Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Lakhpati Didi and Namo Drone Didi, saying these schemes were aimed at connecting girls and women with education, healthcare, security, economic self-reliance and employment opportunities.
Union Minister Shah also referred to the Women’s Reservation Act, describing the move to increase women’s participation in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies as a historic decision.
He said that initiatives such as Lakhpati Didi were helping take crores of women towards self-employment and self-reliance.
“The decisions of the PM Modi-led government are advancing India’s journey beyond ‘women’s empowerment’ towards ‘women-led development’,” Union Minister Shah added.
The Union Minister said the focus should extend beyond empowering women to creating greater opportunities for them to take leadership roles in the country’s development.
He also called on people to strengthen efforts to ensure that every girl in the country was safe, educated and self-reliant.
He urged citizens to link the dignity and capabilities of women with national progress and work towards expanding women’s participation in building a developed India.
Raksha Bandhan will be observed on August 28 this year.
The festival traditionally marks the bond between brothers and sisters, with sisters tying a rakhi around their brothers’ wrists.
–IANS
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