On this International Women’s Day, I first salute all those women who
make a livelihood by selling fruits, vegetables, fish etc at the streets and
those rushing to their offices, schools, hospitals etc after completing the
normal duties of a house wife at home. Millions and millions of children in our
country continue their studies and reach respectable positions in life because
of the silent sacrifices made by the above category of women whose role are
seldom recognized by the society. So, my first respects goes to them.
Today, the role of women in our society has changed a lot comparative
to the olden days. Many women officers have been imprinting their talents in
the history of our country as administrators in various elite services and now we
witness induction of women officers in combat roles in the male dominated Armed
Forces. Recently a women IPS Officer, Smt. Archana Ramasundaram made history
when she assumed charge as the Director General of SSB, a paramilitary force.
Women should never give up their identities irrespective of the
position they occupy in life. Few women
of our country have shown the world that women could contribute their best to
the society without giving up their identities and without taking shelter under
the VVIP status of their husbands. You might be aware that Smt. Elizabeth ,
wife of Former Defense Minister of India Shri A K Antony and Smt. Panchali
Sarkar, wife of Chief Minister of Tripura had worked as Bank Officer and a
School Teacher respectively till their retirements. A recent example in this
category is Smt. Amrutha, wife of present CM of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis who
continue her service as Associate Vice- President at the Axis Bank. Let me take this opportunity to request all the
talented women who got confined behind their VVIP and VIP husbands to take the
leading role towards the development of women and act as role models to the
young generation.
Let us not forget that our women folk
are not walking over rose petals in their journey, whether it is professional
or personal. Instances of sexual assault
against women have been increasing and our law enforcing agencies and society
could not ensure security to our women and children. Above all, the Indian society always blames
the women victims for the offences committed against them. So, women should learn
to protect themselves from the evils existing in the society and should assertion
their rights without waiting for others to grant them freedom.
On this auspicious day, I wish all my
sisters a Happy Women’s Day and at the same time request all men to regard each
and every woman as their own family member and ensure a safe world for them to
live happily and peacefully.
