Empowered Women Empower Nation, Catalyse development: Prez Murmu On 77th Republic Day

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday stressed the importance of women’s “empowered participation” in the country’s development, highlighting key initiatives taken by the central government for their upliftment.
In her address to the nation on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, the President highlighted the significance of the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign and the ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana’ in empowering women, emphasizing that their active participation is crucial for national development. She noted that these initiatives have led to increased women’s involvement in health, education, safety, and economic empowerment, with over 57 crore bank accounts opened under the Jan Dhan scheme, 56 percent of which belong to women. The President acknowledged that women are breaking traditional stereotypes through their contributions in various sectors, including agriculture, space, armed forces, and sports. She celebrated the achievements of Indian women in sports, citing victories in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and the participation of two women in the Chess World Cup final as examples of their growing prominence. Furthermore, she pointed out that women’s representation in Panchayati Raj institutions has reached nearly 46 percent, and the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ aims to enhance political empowerment for women, contributing to the vision of a developed India. The President also praised farmers as the backbone of the economy, highlighting government efforts to ensure fair prices, access to loans, and effective insurance coverage to support their livelihoods. She mentioned the ‘PM Kisan Samman Nidhi’ as a recognition of farmers’ contributions and the ‘PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana’ as a measure to prevent poverty, benefiting nearly 81 crore people. The construction of over 4 crore pucca houses for poor families aims to provide a dignified living standard. Lastly, the President reflected on Republic Day as a significant milestone in India’s journey towards self-governance, marking the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950, which established India as a Sovereign Democratic Republic.