India’s progress only by respecting women: PM

NEW DELHI: India can move forward only by raising levels of respect for women and bringing about gender equality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a webinar on Friday where he spoke on measures taken by his government in this area.

Speaking at the “economic empowerment of women” webinar, Modi said the “results of efforts for women empowerment are visible” in the plan for the next financial year presented by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1.

“India can move forward only by raising the levels of respect for women and the sense of equality. I call upon all of you to move forward with the determination to remove every obstacle coming in the way of all womensisters-daughters,” Modi said.

The Centre has organised a series of post-Budget webinars to seek ideas and suggestions for effective implementation of initiatives announced in the Union Budget for the next financial year, 2023-24. Friday’s webinar was the 11th of a series of 12 such webinars.

“This year’s Budget will give a new momentum to the efforts of women-led development,” he said, adding: “It is an auspicious beginning for achieving the target of Vikasit Bharat (developed India) by 2047… The results of

HT Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Disaster management agencies should be proactive in their approach so as to minimise damage instead of reacting when a calamity strikes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday while stressing on the usage of advanced technology for risk reduction.

Inaugurating third session of National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in

efforts for women empowerment are visible and we are feeling a revolutionary change in the social life of the country.”

Modi said that enrolment of women in the field of engineering, science, technology and maths in the country is currently 43%. “The number of women compared to men is increasing, and the number of girls studying up to high school and beyond has tripled in the last 9-10 years. Girls’ enrolment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics is at 43% today, more than in countries like America, UK and Germany,” he said.

Highlighting role of women in

Delhi, Modi said: “We cannot stop natural calamities but we can strengthen our system. Instead of being reactive we have to be proactive.”

Citing the example of Bhunga houses of Kutch , in Gujarat, which survived the 2001 earthquake to a large extent, the PM said“...Enriching local technology with the new technology is need of hour. When we link the examples of local resilience with future technology, we will be able to do better towards disaster resilience.”

defence services, he said: “The daughters of the country can be seen in national security roles and flying Rafale aircrafts, and when they become entrepreneurs and take decisions, the thinking about them changes.”

The PM also took note of the recent election of two women MLAs in Nagaland assembly – Hekani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse – in its 60 years of statehood.

Modi reiterated that the country is moving with the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas”.