• Honours 32 KWO fellows, envisions women leading governance, industry, academia and social change
• Felicitated 32 talented recipients of KWO Fellowship
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday felicitated 32 recipients of the Kashmir Women’s Organization (KWO) Fellowship, describing them as symbols of Jammu and Kashmir’s transformation and asserting that women’s empowerment is essential for building a “Viksit J&K.”
Addressing a felicitation ceremony at Lok Bhavan here, Sinha said the fellowship recipients had challenged deeply entrenched stereotypes and redefined what women can achieve through determination, talent and leadership.
“By challenging deeply entrenched stereotypes, these fellows have redefined what is possible. They embody Jammu and Kashmir’s ongoing transformation toward a future built on self-confidence, equal opportunities and dignity for all,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor praised the efforts of the Kashmir Women’s Organization and its leadership, particularly Dr.Fida Firdous and Dr.Darakshan Hassan Bhat, for creating a platform that enables women to pursue their aspirations and contribute meaningfully to society.
He said the organization had, within a short period, emerged as a “powerful hub of hope, trust and positive change,” adding that its fellowship programme reflected the spirit of collective responsibility towards women’s empowerment.
Sinha paid tributes to historical women icons of Kashmir, including Rani Didda, Kota Rani, Lal Ded, Habba Khatoon and Mata Rupa Bhawani, saying they had shaped the region’s cultural and social consciousness and proved that the women of Jammu and Kashmir have always scaled the highest peaks of achievement.
He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying women in Jammu and Kashmir had received their due rights and opportunities under his leadership with the removal of discriminatory provisions and greater focus on inclusive development.
Outlining his vision for the Union Territory, the Lieutenant Governor said he wanted to see women occupying leadership roles across every sector.
“I envision a Jammu and Kashmir where women lead in academia, industry, social organizations and governance, shaping policies, driving entrepreneurship, and enriching our culture through art and literature,” he said.
He further said he envisioned a society where every young girl grows up believing that “her dreams are valuable, her voice is powerful, and her future holds limitless possibilities.”
Calling women’s empowerment the cornerstone of development, Sinha said, “Women’s empowerment is key to a Viksit J&K; their progress ensures the progress of society.”
He said women deserved equal and dignified participation in all spheres of life, including social, cultural, economic and political domains, and stressed the need to create an environment that nurtures their abilities and aspirations.
“When women progress, society progresses; when women lead, the nation scales new heights; and when women realize their dreams, the entire world becomes more just, more compassionate and more prosperous,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the growing challenge of substance abuse among women and urged the fellowship recipients to undertake a region-specific study to identify its root causes. He said such research would strengthen rehabilitation efforts and help support women affected by drug addiction.
He also commended the mentors who guided the fellows throughout the fellowship programme and expressed hope that the initiative would inspire more women to emerge as leaders and change-makers in the years ahead.
On the occasion, Sinha released the book Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipal Council in India, authored by Dr. Nazrul Islam.
The event was attended by Dr.Fida Firdous, President of the Kashmir Writers Association; Dr.Darakshan Hassan Bhat, President of the Kashmir Women’s Organization; members of the Kashmir Writers Association and the Kashmir Women’s Organization, besides senior government officials.
