New Delhi, Mar 8 (UNI) In a first of its kind initiative, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met women parliamentarians and journalists on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Monday and lauded their contributions to the society.
Acknowledging that women have held highest positions in the socio-political and economic fields with distinction and have made outstanding contributions towards the development of society, Mr Birla said that women have led from the forefront while holding important positions like President, Prime Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker.
The event at Parliament House was also attended by Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister of Women and Child Development and Textiles Smriti Zubin Irani.
Mr Birla also said that apart from holding positions of power and contributing towards positive societal change, women are also playing the role of catalysts in the field of social welfare. He added that women have the ability, patience, self-confidence, will-power and equity. “With these qualities, women are serving the nation from panchayat to Parliament,’ he noted.
Remembering the contributions of women freedom fighters and their role in the post-Independence nation-building, he said that development and progress of the country could be possible because of the participation of women in each and every stage of nation-building.
The Speaker noted that the present Lok Sabha has the highest number of women parliamentarians. He also appreciated the performance of women parliamentarians in the House and the intensity and substance of their debates.
Speaking about women journalists, he said that journalism is a challenging and tough task and women are becoming successful in this challenge because of their competence and courage on the one hand and empathy and compassion towards public cause on the other hand.
Women, through their reporting, highlight the problems of deprived sections of society and of the last man at the periphery, thereby, bring them to the attention of the government which helps in finding solutions, he observed.
When the Lok Sabha assembled, Mr Birla greeted the MPs on the International Women’s Day. Speaking in the House, the Speaker said that today is the day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women towards nation and society.
Later, Mr Birla also interacted with women employees of the Lok Sabha Secretariat and commended them for their contribution.
