Excelsior Correspondent
![Dignitaries lighting lamp to inaugurate seminar on ‘Women Empowerment’ at GCW, Gandhi Nagar (left), DyCM Dr Nirmal Singh and others attending the seminar. -Excelsior/Rakesh](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/page3-126.jpg)
JAMMU, Nov 22: A day-long seminar on empowerment of women and their role in society was today organized by Nari Shakti, Jammu Chapter at Government College for Women (GCW) Gandhi Nagar.
The function was attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, whereas Former Health Minister Punjab, Lakshmikant Chawla was the chief guest, Coordinator All India Nari Shakti, Geeta Tai Gunde was the key spokesperson. Minister of State (MoS) for Education, Priya Sethi, presided over the function, whileas State Coordinator Nari Shakti, Mamta Singh, Principal GCW, Gandhi Nagar, Prof Kiran Bakshi, Chairperson Heritage School, Jammu, Sunita Gupta, academicians, intellectuals and people from different walks of life were also present.
The programme commenced with the lightning of ceremonial lamp, followed by welcome address by Prof Kiran Bakshi, Principal, GCW Gandhi Nagar.
Mamta Singh, State Coordinator, Nari Shakti, highlighted the key achievements of Lakshmikant Chawla, Geeta Tai Gunde, Priya Sethi, Sunuta Gupta and Prof Kiran Bakshi. She also presented a brief resume about the work being done by the organization in the State since last around two decades.
Priya Sethi, while speaking on the occasion, said that women has pivotal role in progress and prosperity of the society and are contributing their bit in every sphere of life. She said that they have been rendering an important role in education, polity and economics since times immemorial and their responsibility has further increased in present scenario.
Referring to various initiatives being taken up by the Government for welfare of women and girl child, the Minister said that ever since the NDA came to power at Centre, several flagship schemes have been launched which would go a long way in ensuring their socio-economic and political emancipation.
“Schemes like Beti Bachayo-Beti Padao would ensure proper education of girls besides arresting the declining sex-ratio in the country”, she said and maintained that the State Government has also launched a scheme Laadli Beti which envisages several benefits to girl child.
Former Health Minister of Punjab, Lakshmikant Chawla highlighted the role of women in bringing about transformation in the society.
“We blame men if they indulge in drinking, smoking and other social evils, but why we don’t blame women. In Chandigarh and even in Amritsar, the liquor consumption by the girls has increased manifold times, but no one blames them”, she said.
“A person apart from his salary brings expensive gifts and other items at home. Had ever his wife or any other family members asked him where from he brought all this despite being not within the reach of his salary. When the man gets caught by police, the family sheds tears. Where they were when the man indulged in corrupt practices. Why they did not stop him at that time. The man indulges in corruption for his family and to eradicate corruption, the family can play a pivotal role”, she stated.
She maintained that they have been doing their bit since long and now the onus also lies on them to make the society free from corruption and other social evils. She added that corruption is biggest issue in the country and it should be eradicated completely from the society and this can only be done by men and women both.
Referring to the martyrdom of Colonel Santosh recently in Kashmir and beheading of jawans on LoC in Poonch district, she said that the people should teach their children about the sacrifices and should keep them away from social evils, so that when they grow up, they can be the part of the development of the nation.
“It disheartens, when we seen people struggling to get their both ends meet. If one rich person will join hand with one poor person, the poverty in the country will end, which in other words will also lead to development of the nation”, Former Health Minister of Punjab said.
Geeta Tai Gunde, while speaking on the occasion, highlighted the importance of women in making the nation self reliant and free from all social evils.
Through various examples, she aware the women present in the function to be self-reliant in present times and make decision on their own for the welfare of their family in particular and nation in general.