Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 7: The International Women’s Day was celebrated today with great enthusiasm by various educational institutions and other organizations across Jammu and Kashmir.
The District Social Welfare Office, Jammu, organized International Women’s Day under the theme “Invest in Women-Accelerate Progress”. The Department launched a series of events and initiatives to celebrate and promote gender equality on this significant day. Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare, Sheetal Nanda, inaugurated the celebration comprised of several events including the walkathon, marathon and cyclothon at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, where around 700 youth participated.
The women entrepreneurs were encouraged through their stalls established in the exhibition organized by the National Rural Livelihood Mission and Women Development Corporation. Later, Sheetal Nanda felicitated women achievers including Navneet Kour (NGO Support), Nirmal Pawar (JKRLM), Pooja Devi (first female JKSRTC bus driver of J&K), Bindiya Raina Tickoo (known Anchor, Author and Poet) and Advocate Meenu Padha.
Jammu & Kashmir High Court Bar Association Jammu (JKHCBAJ) celebrated International Women’s Day with immense enthusiasm and spirit today in the Ladies Bar Room, District Court Complex. The event commenced with a warm welcome speech by vice president Amit Gupta, setting the tone for the day’s festivities. Justice Sindhu Sharma, accompanied by Special Judge CBI Court Bala Jyoti, graced the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Justice Sindhu emphasized the importance of dedication, perseverance and hard work in shaping successful careers in the legal profession. Vikram Sharma, Senior Advocate and president of JKHCBAJ, reiterated the Association’s commitment to promote gender equality and empowering women in the legal profession. All the office bearers of the JKHCBAJ were present in the function.
On the eve of International Women’s Day, Shakti Udghosh, in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, organized a “Shakti Samman Samaroh” at the Police Auditorium, Gulshan Ground, Jammu, aimed to honor and recognize the contributions of women in various fields. Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Sara Rizvi (DIG) emphasized the importance of such organizations working for the welfare of females, particularly in empowering them for the defense forces.
Special guest Dr Mitali Gupta, a notable speaker, emphasized the importance of a healthy diet in conjunction with the ‘jazba’ (enthusiasm) in the belt forces. Dr Preeti Choudhary (convener of Shakti Udghosh) highlighted that the organization Shakti Udghosh, previously known as Mission Shakti, is working for women empowerment and has been active in various fields such as training for self-defense, raising awareness about health and hygiene and providing vocational courses free of cost.
To mark the Day, Department of Urdu (University of Jammu) in a special programme organized in Gyan Chand Jain auditorium in the University complex conferred the title of “Malika-e-sur” on noted composer and singer Seema Anil Sehgal, for her exemplary and unparalled contributions to the promotion and propagation of the language amidst people of the Indian subcontinent. A multi-lingual ‘mushaira’ was organized in which invited women poets from all the languages spoken in J&K participated along with the students of the University.
In a Jam packed auditorium, Professor Reyaz Ahmed (HoD Urdu) and Professor Sucheta Pathania (Dean Faculty of Arts and HoD English), presented a specially designed trophy to Seema Anil Sehgal. Accepting the honour bestowed on her, the celebrated singer regaled the audience with a ‘ghazal’ of Ishrat Afreen that underlines the women oriented issues and expressions.
The Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm by NABARD at Jammu, Anantnag and Kulgam. In Jammu, successful women from different fields were invited for addressing participants for women empowerment. On the occasion, Bhallamudi Sridhar, Chief General Manager, NABARD J&K Regional Office, Jammu sensitized the participants about the importance of women led development in the society. Varuna Anand, Chairperson, FICCI, FLO, JKL motivated the participants to be self reliant and successful entrepreneur. Professor Amisha Gupta (Jammu University) and Prof Jyoti Kachroo (SKUAST Jammu) also spoke on the occasion. NABARD General Manager Sandeep Sharma, Sohan Lal, Assistant General Manager and other officers were also present.
The NABARD also organized two separate programmes at RSETI Anantnag and RSETI Kulgam. The programmes were attended by a large number of female self-employment trainees having undergone training in various trades such as tailoring, beauticians, general EDP and other courses. Cluster Head Shazi Khan was invited as chief guest and among other dignitaries, DDM NABARD Rouf Zargar, LDM Anantnag, LDM Kulgam, Directors of RSETI Anantnag and Kulgam, DST Trainer Nighat Amin were present in the event. On the occasion, Ridwana, a successful social entrepreneur running Kashmir’s first sanitary pad making unit in Anantnag was invited as special invitee.
In a vibrant celebration marking the week-long observance of International Women’s Day, a special event was organized at Bhaderwah Campus of the University of Jammu. The event commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the Rector Bhaderwah Campus. Chief Guest for the occasion was Prof Anju Bhasin (Dean Academic Affairs, JU) and the guest of honor was Prof Poonam Choudhary (Director and Head Department of Museology, JU). Prof Anju Bhasin, in her illuminating address, not only expounded on the significance of International Women’s Day but also delved into the profound importance of women’s empowerment.
A symposium was organized in KC College of Education today on the eve of International Women’s day. The theme of the event was “Gender Equality” wherein a good number of students participated. The best three entries were awarded suitably. Dr Sanjay Tickoo (Principal of the College) aaaalso spoke on the occasion. The whole event was convened by Priya Gupta, NSS Programme officer.
NSS unit of Trikuta Degree College, Nardani-Raipur (Jammu) organized a symposium on the topic “Women Empowerment”. Students participated with great zeal and made everyone aware about the women’s rights and their place in the society. Chairperson Suman Sharma was the chief guest on the occasion while Sunita Magotra (Principal of the College) presided over the function. All the activities were conducted under the supervision of Ritika Sharma (NSS Programme Officer).
To mark the occasion, Sant Mela Singh College of Education, Digiana (Jammu) organized an Essay writing competition on the topic ‘Women’s Potential Towards Accelerating Progress’, besides a Rangoli competition. A good number of students participated in both the competitions and showed their creativity. The events were organized under the supervision of Jasmeet Kour (NSS Programme Officer) and Anju Sudan (Convener, Population Education and Adult & Continuing Education Clubs).
A week-long programme being organized by IRP 15th Battalion to celebrate International Women’s Day was inaugurated by MN Tiwari (IGP Armed/IRP Zone Jammu) in the presence of Sargun Shukla, Commandant IRP 15th Battalion, Rashmi Wazir, Commandant IRP 12th Battalion, Shaheen Wahid, Deputy Commandant 1st Women Battalion Jammu and other officers. On the occasion, a medical camp was organized by this unit wherein PMOs of various Armed/IRP Battalions and a team of doctors of Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar (Jammu) conducted health checkup of around 400 females of J&K Police.
Doda Police organized a special event at Women Police Station Doda to celebrate the Day. The event was organized by Shakeel Rehman Bhat (Additional SP Headquarters Doda) under the guidance of Javaid Iqbal (SSP Doda). On the occasion, students of GMC Doda, newly selected lady Sub-Inspectors were the special invitees and the event was marked by insightful empowering speeches and recognition of the invaluable contribution made by women in various fields. Ajay Anand (Deputy SP Headquarters Doda), SHO Women PS Doda and other officers were also present on the occasion.
A National exhibition of paintings, drawings and sculptures of women artists of India at the Indian Academy of Fine Arts (AIFA) Amritsar, organized by J&K Centre for Creative Arts (JKCCA), Jammu to commemorate International Women’s Day, concluded today with the valedictory function. Senior advisor, JKCCA Jang S Verman was the chief guest on the occasion whereas senior advisor, JKCCA KS Gill (Amritsar) was the guest of honour and Advisor Dharminder Sharma (Amritsar) was the special guest. The art works of 28 artists were displayed in the exhibition. OP Sharma (founder director, JKCCA) also graced the event.
Women Development Cell, Government PG College Rajouri organized a series of activities to celebrate the Day under the patronage of the Principal, Prof (Dr) Shamim A Azad. Coordinator, Women Development Cell, Prof Salma Farooq, delivered an extensive lecture on the occasion. A poster making competition on the theme ‘Empowering Women’ and an awareness rally were also organized.
Maulana Azad Memorial College, Jammu celebrated International Women’s Day in collaboration with Career Counselling Cell of the College, under the patronage of Principal Prof Dr BB Anand. In this pretext, a lecture on the theme “Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace” was organized in the college. The resource person for the lecture was Dr Kavita Suri, Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Jammu. Meanwhile, NSS Unit of the College also concluded a week long Special Women’s Camp by conducting valedictory ceremony.
GDC Thannamandi, in collaboration with the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Cell Rajouri, organized an enlightening awareness program on the theme “Importance of Vote in Democratic Setup.” The event, held under the supervision of Prof Dr Farooq Ahmed, Principal of the College. Guest speaker, Prof Iqbal Raina (Nodal Officer of SVEEP Rajouri) in his address, urged the students to actively participate in the voting process.
To celebrate the Day, Women Development Cell of GDC Purmandal organized series of activities on this year’s theme ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress”. The event was held under the supervision of Principal Prof (Dr) Raj Shree Dhar. Students from all the semesters expressed their views on the theme, recited poems and some of them depicted their message on International Women’s Day through charts and posters.
Jammu Sanskriti School Jammu glorified womanhood by honouring women achievers. On behalf of the school, Prabhjot Kour Bhalla (Headmistress) and Varuna Magotra (Superintendent of Curriculum & Instructions) along with students expressed their respect for women achievers such as Sindhu Sharma (Judge, High Court), Shetal Nanda (Commissioner Secretary, SWD, Samba) and Sargun Shukla (IPS) for their valuable contribution and setting goals for the future generations.
Women Development Cell of SPPND GDC Samba organized two-day workshop on Calico Printing on 6th-7th March in collaboration with Department of Handicrafts to commemorate International Women’s Day. In the workshop, skilled trainers Subash Sharma, Sushma, Mansi Rattan, Gunjan and Bhanu Partap from Department of Handicraft gave hands on training to 30 girl students of the College on charts and fabric using multiple colours. The valedictory function was graced by Sukhleen Kour (IES) Director Planning, Higher Education as guest of honor. Prof (Dr) Twinkle Suri, Principal of the College, in her address, commended the efforts of these skilled instructors in nurturing the local artistic ethos of Samba. The workshop was coordinated by Associate Prof Sarabpreet Kour, Convener, WDC.