Chandigarh, March 8:The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, along with his wife Smt. Anita Kataria, attended the celebration of International Women's Day as the Chief Guest. The event was organised by the Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development under the theme “Balance the Scales.” Shri Satya Pal Jain, Chairperson of the Social Welfare Committee of the Administrator’s Advisory Council, attended the programme as the Guest of Honour. Secretary, Social Welfare and Women & Child Development, Chandigarh, Ms. Anuradha S. Chagti, was also present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Administrator extended his greetings to all women and appreciated their valuable contribution to society, nation-building and family life. He said that empowering women through education, opportunities and respect leads to the overall progress and prosperity of society. He emphasized that women are a strong pillar of society and their equal participation is essential for building a developed India.

On the occasion, 27 distinguished women from Chandigarh were honoured with the Women Achiever Award for their outstanding contributions in different fields. The Administrator congratulated the awardees and said that their achievements would inspire many others to excel in their respective areas.

During the programme, a booklet titled “Prerna 2.0” highlighting inspiring stories of women achievers was also launched by the Administrator. The publication is an initiative of the Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, aimed at showcasing the strength, resilience and contributions of women in society.

The Administrator also highlighted the remarkable achievements of Indian women in fields such as science, politics, sports and social leadership. He noted that women have played an important role in the country’s progress and continue to inspire future generations through their determination and dedication.

Reaffirming the importance of gender equality, the Governor said that true development can only be achieved when women are given equal opportunities, dignity and respect in every sphere of life. He appreciated the efforts of the Government of India under the leadership of Narendra Modi to promote women empowerment through various schemes and initiatives. He called upon society to work together to create an environment where every woman feels safe, empowered and confident to realise her dreams.

Palika Arora, Director, Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, highlighted that the department is implementing several initiatives for the welfare and empowerment of women in Chandigarh. These include social security schemes such as pensions for widows and destitute women and the Shagun Scheme, along with centrally sponsored programmes like Mission Shakti, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. The department also provides institutional support through One Stop Centres, Shakti Sadan, Sakhi Niwas and the Women Helpline 181, besides promoting nutrition and childcare through Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0.

=================================================

Governor’s Wife Visits UT Civil Secretariat on International Women’s Day
Chandigarh, March 8:On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Smt. Anita Kataria, wife of the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, visited his office at the UT Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh for the first time.
On this occasion, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria said that the moment was special and emotional for him.