Bhubaneswar: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik says Women Empowerment is real double engine of development . “Women empowerment is the true double engine of development & BJD is the first party to provide 33% reservation for women candidates in Lok Sabha,” says CM Naveen Patnaik.
CM Naveen Patnaik says no form of development can be actualized without contribution from women. Satisfying to be pioneer in the country to reserve 33% Lok Sabha seats for women who are true double engine of development.
CM Patnaik said a nation that does not give effective representaion to woman in its highest decision-making forum ‘is running on a single engine’.
“In my view if India has to hit the highway of growth and compete with the likes of US and China, it has to transform its political landscape by empowering women. This is the real double engine the country needs, to bring about growth with equity and justice,” said CM Naveen Patnaik.
Targeting the BJP and Congress, Naveen said, both the national parties in their Manifestos have repeatedly spoken about women’ empowerment, but somewhere when it comes to walking the talk – there is a deafening silence.
“BJD has done its bit to break this silence. And I’m sure the people of Odisha will ensure that the voice of our 7 women candidates is heard in the hallowed halls of Parliament and I am hopeful that the movement that has started from Odisha will be followed by our national parties,” he added.
Patnaik said if Odisha has had a huge improvement in the socio-economic indicators like IMR and MMR, the credit goes to these grass root women leaders and the 70 lakh Mission Shakti SHGs.
Stating that Biju Babu was one of the pioneers in Womens’ empowerment, Naveen said the former Chief Minister had introduced 33% reservation for women in the PRIs which has now been increased to 50%.
“Initially there was a lot of criticism with most people saying that husbands and fathers will actually run the show. Perhaps it was partially true. Today, we have more than sixty thousand women in Odisha as Ward Members, Sarpanchs, Block Samiti, Zilla Parishad Members and Presidents doing remarkable jobs,” he said.
Speaking about New Zealand Prime Minister Miss. Jacinda Ardern, Naveen said her response in the aftermath of the deadliest mass shootings was not what is generally expected of leaders at such times. ….. that is to take the majority line and soft peddle the issue.
“Her response stunned the whole world when she declared in her now-famous statement -“New Zealand is their home (referring to the refugees and migrants killed). They are us.” Calling the perpetrator of the crime a terrorist– she changed the narrative of leadership. Her response transcended the narrow boundaries of religion and race….. and embraced humanity,” he added.
It should be noted that Odisha has 21 Lok Sabha constituencies and will vote in four phases on April 11, April 18, April 23 and April 29. BJD has given 7 tickets to women for Lok Sabha Election.
Comments are closed.