Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh Sh Gulab Chand Kataria Highlights Women’s Role in Nation-Building on International Women’s Day.
Launches ‘PRERNA’ to Honor Chandigarh’s Trailblazing Women Achievers.
Chandigarh,8th March, 2025: The Department of Social Welfare, Chandigarh Administration, celebrated International Women’s Day with great enthusiasm, reaffirming its commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusivity. The Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, The Administrator praised the invaluable contributions of women in nation-building. He emphasized that true progress is only possible with equal participation of women and highlighted key government initiatives, including the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, to encourage self-reliance among young girls.
The Governor passionately outlined how International Women’s Day, which was first observed by the United Nations in 1975, serves as a global call to recognize and support strategies and initiatives that generate a positive impact across cultural, political, social, and economic spheres.
He noted that while remarkable strides have been made in various fields, persistent gender biases and traditional mindsets continue to impose challenges on women.
The Administrator stated that the nation’s progress is intrinsically linked to ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to become self-reliant and empowered.
The Administrator highlighted a range of initiatives that include transformative schemes such as Mission Shakti, the Poshan Abhiyaan, and dedicated Women Empowerment Centers. He elaborated on the extensive outreach programs that have extended self-help groups to over 10 crore women, and celebrated innovative endeavors like the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, which has successfully transformed the lives of more than 1 crore women, as well as the distribution of drones to over 500 women to promote agri-tech advancements and entrepreneurial ventures. These initiatives, he explained, are not merely schemes but are building blocks for an inclusive economy where women’s contributions are recognized and harnessed.
Member of Parliament Sh. Manish Tewari graced the occasion and expressed his appreciation for the initiative. He emphasized the significance of recognizing and celebrating women’s achievements at such a platform. He also spoke about the courage of women and their lifelong contributions to their families and society.
The highlight of the event was the launch of “PRERNA”, a commemorative booklet featuring the inspiring journeys of 20 remarkable women from Chandigarh who have broken barriers and excelled in various fields. The booklet serves as a source of motivation for young girls and women to pursue their aspirations fearlessly.
Following the launch, a thought-provoking panel discussion on “How AI and Technology Can Contribute to Gender Parity?” was held. Experts from the tech industry, academia, and social sectors deliberated on the role of emerging technologies in bridging the gender gap and fostering inclusivity.
The event also featured an experience-sharing session where the trailblazing women featured in “PRERNA” shared their inspiring journeys. The eminent trailblazers Ms Sudha Pillai, Ms Jagdeep Bain’s , Ms Veena Garela, Ms Aradhna Tandon , Ms Indu Pal kaur, Ms Renu Vig, Dr. Jasbinder Kaur and Dr. Bhavneet Bharti spoke about the challenges, and triumphs, encouraging the audience to persevere in their pursuits, who attended the event in person.
To honor creativity and young talent, students from the Fine Arts College, Sector 10, Chandigarh, showcased an art exhibition based on the theme of women empowerment. The students were felicitated for their artistic expression and meaningful contributions to the event’s message.
The event concluded on a high note, celebrating the indomitable spirit of women and reinforcing the Chandigarh Administration’s commitment to their growth and development.
The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Secretary Social Welfare Smt. Anuradha Chagti, Chairperson of CCPCR Smt. Shipra Bansal, Director Social Welfare Smt. Palika Arora and other officers of Chandigarh Administration.
