New Delhi, (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday extended his “best wishes” to all women of the world for International Women’s Day, observed on March 8, and urged Indians to reaffirm their commitment to gender equality in the country.
“On the occasion of International Women’s Day, I extend warm greetings and best wishes to women in India and in all parts of the world,” he said in his message on the occasion.
Mukherjee also praised Indian women, saying the “incomparable compassion, tolerance and hard work” of generations of them has “made an invaluable contribution to the development and progress of our country”.
“On this day, I call upon the people of India to reaffirm their commitment to gender equality and the true empowerment of women. Let us rededicate our efforts to give them all the support they need to develop to their full potential, realise their aspirations and enjoy the safety, dignity and unfettered equality that is their sacred right,” he added.
He also cited India’s “historic legislations and far sighted programmes” for empowerment of women and their equal participation in nation building.
“‘Beti Bachao’, ‘Beti Padhao’ is an important initiative to prevent female foeticide and provide educational opportunities for female children in India,” he said.