Sri Anandpur Sahib, June 17: Union Food Processing Industries Minister Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal
today gave a clarion call to stop discrimination against girls and said
elimination of gender discrimination would go a long way in shaping a
healthy society and nation.
While presiding over a mammoth congregation in Mata Nanki Istri Gurmat Samagam
here on the beginning of three day long celebrations of 350th
anniversary of the foundation of Sri Anandpur Sahib, Mrs. Badal said
women should take the lead in purging gender discrimination from
society. Recalling the role played by women to safeguard and strengthening of
Sikh Panth, Mrs. Badal said we all should learn a lesson from the lives
of those brave women who had served as forerunners in protecting the
rights and interests of women. "We should tread the path shown by these
great women". She also called upon the women fraternity to make Mai Bhago their ideal to combat social menaces. Paying obeisance to great Sikh Gurus and the sacred land of Sri
Anandpur Sahib, Mrs. Badal said this was not only sacred land but that
historic place where 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji formed Khasla Panth
on 13 April 1699. Welcoming the Sangat thronged from across the globe
to participate in 350th years of foundation day, Mrs. Badal said that
our Gurus had made peerless sacrifices against the tyranny of the then
rulers and we have a big responsibility to fulfill the dreams dreamt by
our Gurus. Mrs. Badal also thanked Punjab Government and all religious
institutions for celebrating this mega event on such a large scale. Meanwhile, the Members of Istri Akali Dal under the leadership of President of Istri Akali Dal Bibi Jagir Kaur honoured Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal with a siropa (a robe of honour). Other prominent women leaders present on the occasion included Chief
Parliamentary Secretaries Mrs. Farzana Aalam, Mrs. Vaninder Kaur Loomba,
Mrs. Harpreet Kaur Mukhmailpur, both MLAs, Former MP Bibi Paramjit Kaur
Gulshan, Chairman Punjab State Women’s Commission Bibi Paramjeet Kaur
Landra, Member Punjab State Women’s Commission, Bibi Amanjot Kaur
Ramoowalia, Chairperson District Planning Committee, Bibi Veerpal Kaur
Tarmala, SGPC Member Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, former Mayor Mrs.
Harjinder Kaur, Bibi Gurdev Kaur Sangha and Bibi Rajwinder Kaur Raju,
both Senior Vice Presidents of Istri Akali Dal, Mrs. Manju Qureshi,
Bibi Satbir Kaur Manhera etc.
Girls should play proactive role in women empowerment
Badal: Lauding the indomitable spirit of Punjabi
girls, Union Minister Human Resource Development Smriti Irani exhorted
them to play a proactive role in women empowerment at the national
level. “The girls in Punjab inherit indomitable spirit of courage, skill,
resilience and dedication and they should play a proactive role in women
empowerment,” the Union Minister said during her visit to Dashmesh
College for girls. Emphasizing on the need for imparting quality education to girls, she
said educated girls could prove to be important pillars of a democratic
country like India thereby contributing in its overall development. The senior BJP leader called for an all round development of the
girls and said if given an opportunity to showcase ability they could do
any task and achieve their target, a statement quoting her said. Lauding Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal for
spearheading the campaign ‘Nanhi Chhaan’ against female foeticide and
protection of trees, Irani said it was the need of the hour to eliminate
these ‘social maladies’ as she termed the programme as a ‘nobel
initiative’. Stating that the Centre has decided to hold the national arts and
craft festival in December this year on the theme of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti
Padhao’, the Union Minister urged the students from Punjab to make their
presence felt by showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the state. Besides, cementing the bond of unity among the students of various
states this festival would be also instrumental in perpetuating the
cultural legacy of the country among them, she said. The Union Minister also lauded Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh
Badal, who was present on the occasion, for establishing this college of
high repute and equipping it with world class facilities, the release
said.
50 colleges & 2,000 centres for women empowerment - Punjab
The Punjab government is about to set 50 colleges and 2000 centers for
skill training under the Skill India Mission. The 2000 centers are to
set up at the village level to enhance the skills of girls.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, had held a meeting which
was attended by Union Food processing minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal,
state cabinet ministers and others to discuss about the same.
These colleges will be run by 3 universities that is Punjab University,
Guru Nanak Dev University and Punjabi University. According to an
official statement, these colleges will be running short term courses.
The colleges will start at the cost of Rs.20 lakhs each and will help
6000 students in different ways to start their own company, become
entrepreneurs and job providers.
The duration of the course will be from 1 to 3 months, for unemployed
girls to become independent. Girls will be able to set up their own
shops or small units which will lead to their empowerment.
The courses will be designed after discussion with various departments
of Industry and commerce, Agriculture, Food Processing, Technical
Education and Industrial Training.
Deputy Chief Minister will also be taking help of various departments to
supervise the selection and design of these courses.
