*Lays foundation of TRI
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Nov 21: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and Tribal Affairs Department, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today stressed that change in mindset and perception of the society about the girl child is the key to reverse the declining Child Sex Ratio and women empowerment.
The Minister said this while speaking during a workshop organized under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development.
The workshop was organised by District Social Welfare Officer in Baba Ghulam Shah University as a part of campaign initiated by district administration to address the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio in the district.
Addressing the participants, the Minister highlighted the need of gathering support of key stakeholders and involving local champions and prominent local personalities to ensure effective mindset change in the community.
He deliberated on issues related to community mobilization, effective implementation of PCPNDT Act, promoting girl child education and effective monitoring of BBBP.
Zulfkar while appreciating the district administration for spearheading a mass awareness campaign under BBBP exhorted that there is further need to strengthen system for flow of information regarding girls being prevented from going to school, toilets for girls in schools, violence against women etc for visible results.
District Development Commissioner Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary enumerated various innovative interventions the district administration has undertaken like celebration of the birth of girl child, display of birth statistics through Guddi Gudda boards, holding inspection visits, sealing of unregistered ultrasonography machines, consultation of all stakeholders, oath taking ceremonies among others.
He called upon the girl students and scholars of BGBSU to join hands with district administration in carrying out a sustained campaign for protection and promotion of girl child.
Earlier, DSWO Dr. Abdul Khabir presented a detailed presentation reflecting the details of CSR in the district, major challenges and way ahead in the matter.
Commissioner Secretary FCS&CA, M D Khan, Controller Legal Metrology R K Katoch, Dean School of Languages and Humanity Prof. G M Malik, Dean Management Studies Prof. Naseem Ahmad, AD FCS & CA Javid Iqbal, faculty members and girls students of the university participated in the workshop.
Later. the Minister along with DDC and other concerned officers visited Gujjar-Bakarwal Hostel and laid down the foundation stone of academic block of the hostel.
Meanwhile, Zulfkar Ali laid foundation stones for Post Graduate (Boys) Hostel for scheduled tribe (ST) students and Tribal Research Institute (TRI) at Tulsi Bagh and Khimber in Kashmir valley respectively.
After laying the foundation stone of PG (Boys) hostel in Tulsi Bagh, the Minister said the present dispensation believes in holistic development of all sections of society and building the hostel for post graduate tribal students is a part of that process.
The Minister informed that the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is keen for the upliftment of every section of society, including people belonging to backward classes.
The Minister was accompanied by MLA Batamaloo Noor Mohammed Sheikh, who on the occasion announced an ambulance for the hostel from his Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
While laying a foundation stone for TRI at Humhama, the Minister said the world is changing where various cultures have become extinct. He said building TRI would not only help in preserving the states unique tribal culture, but also promote it among masses.
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