Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Sept 29: Rajni Devi, Block Development Council Chairperson, was today elected as District President of National Conference Women Wing Samba.
The inner party elections were held under the supervision of former minister and State Secretary National Conference Surjeet Singh Salathia. Provincial President Women Wing Satwant Kaur Dogra and District President Mohinder Gupta among others were present on the occasion.
While greeting the newly elected Women Wing functionaries, Mr Slathia exhorted them to connect with women at booth level to strengthen the party. He said NC is committed to uphold the secular ethos of Jammu and Kashmir, which forms core of its political philosophy. “In this pursuit, the party has offered numerous sacrifices since its inception during most testing times. This spirit has to be promoted and sustained to maintain the glorious heritage of the Suffis and Rishis”, he added.
He said restoration of peace besides empowerment of women and marginalized segments of society is the core agenda of the party. “Women emancipation and empowerment is imperative for harmonious growth of the society, as they constitute over 50 percent of the population,” he said.
In this regard, Mr Slathia highlighted the strides made during different tenures of the National Conference Government and referred to 50 per cent reservation for women in MBBS seats and 33 percent reservation in Panchayats and urban bodies. He said the essence and spirit of democracy will become a reality only when women are politically and financially empowered. For achieving this objective, the civic bodies, apart from legislature, would be appropriate forum for them to get elected in good numbers and priorities the schemes and programs for women emancipation. He said their involvement in decision making at grass root level democratic institutions will be a game-changer for women empowerment.
While greeting the newly elected District President, Satwant Kaur Dogra urged the women functionaries to achieve the ultimate objective of serving people with a sense of devotion and dedication and exhorted them to hold women conventions at booth level to strengthen party at grass root level.
Prominent among those present included : Shanaz Akhter, Shakti Devi, Sudesh Kumari, Meena Dutta, Tajinder Kour, Sushma Devi, Harpreet Kour and others.