STATE TIMES NEWS
NAGROTA: Seeking integrated approach to converge all available resources for childcare with focused attention on girl child, Provincial President National Conference and MLA Nagrota Devender Singh Rana on Saturday said Jammu and Kashmir had pioneered path-breaking initiatives for female literacy and women empowerment even when the concept was in the formulative stage in many states across the country.
“Decades ago, concerted efforts were made to improve literacy among girls, especially in the far-flung and backward areas, which turned out a game-changer and brought about desired results”, Rana said while addressing a function organised by Integrated Child Development Project at Siaali in Tarah Panchayat of Dansal Block.
Rana said that education and health care of women was imperative for healthy growth of the society and generating awareness among about the fast changing scenario the world over will inspire them to maintain pace. Though major headway has been achieved in this regard, with women rubbing shoulders with men in every filed, yet much is needed to be done, he maintained.
He said pragmatic and progressive policies, tailored from time to time, would lead to desired emancipation and economic empowerment of women in a big way. “A stake has to be created among girls to excel in academics, sports and other spheres to lay a mark in the society”, he said while exhorting various governmental agencies and social organizations to play their crucial role in this regard.
Appreciating steps being taken under the Integrated Child Development Scheme, Rana sought a coordinated approach by line departments at village and block levels to achieve the targets within stipulated time-frame. He hoped that the implementing agency will take innovative measures, as per local needs, and ensure healthy growth of girl child. He called for bridging the gap between rural and urban areas by providing added attention towards gird child in remote areas.
“There is no effective mechanism in achieving the goal of women empowerment in rural areas, like in the urban habitats, unless girl child is educated and provided with ample opportunities to grow”, the Provincial President said and hoped that the concerned agencies will keep this imperative under consideration. He said the girl child had to be provided adequate openings to grow as uselful citizens of the society.
Rana also made a passionate appeal to village community to consider the imperative of educating girl child and prioritise their growth by seeking best health care facilities available in nook and corner of the state. He said society has to play its useful role in achieving an enviable place for girl child by encouraging her academic pursuits.
Speaking on the occasion, the Project Officer ICDS Syeda Parveen dwelt upon various schemes tailored by for targeted segments of the society especially girl child.
Prominent village elders besides representatives of democratic institutions at the grass root level, including Somnath Khajuria, Mohammed Alam, Bashir Ahmed, Sarpanch Sadiq, Sarpanch Khursheed Ali, Sarpanch Siraj-ud-Din and Sarpanch Angrez Singh participated in the day-long event.
