A large gathering of women from the Valpoi constituency at the ‘Angan Utsav’ programme organised at Valpoi, along with Minister Vishwajit Rane and other dignitaries.
VALPOI
Women play a vital role in the development of society, and their active participation has contributed significantly to social progress. It is essential to provide women with dignity, security, self-reliance and equal opportunities for development. The Central and State Governments are implementing various welfare schemes for women’s empowerment, and women should take advantage of these schemes to become economically and socially self-reliant, said Goa’s Minister for Women and Child Development Vishwajit Rane.
He was speaking at the special women’s gathering ‘Angan Utsav’, organised in the Valpoi constituency as part of service initiatives held to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. The programme was held at the Valpoi Municipal Council Hall and was attended by a large number of women.
During the programme, Anganwadi workers and helpers serving at various centres across Sattari taluka were felicitated with mementoes and shawls in recognition of their dedicated service.
Rane said women should not be restricted to household responsibilities but should be provided opportunities in education, employment, entrepreneurship, economic self-reliance and social leadership. He said the governments at the Centre and in Goa had implemented several schemes aimed at enabling women to live with dignity and self-respect.
Schemes such as the Ujjwala Yojana have benefited women, while various welfare initiatives are being implemented to improve their lives. Along with economic empowerment, the government is also giving importance to women’s health, nutrition, education and safety, he said.
Rane said the Goa Government was working towards the effective implementation of various women-oriented schemes and would continue efforts to provide more facilities and opportunities for women.
He stressed the need to ensure that information about schemes implemented by the Women and Child Development Department reaches every woman. While governments formulate schemes, ensuring that benefits reach eligible beneficiaries is equally important. Women should learn about available schemes and make proper use of them, he said.
He also cautioned women against being misled by false promises and advised them to understand the actual benefits and provisions of government schemes.
Rane highlighted the contribution of Anganwadi workers and helpers in implementing nutrition, childcare, pre-primary education and awareness programmes at the grassroots level. He said the government was committed to providing better facilities to women and children in rural areas through the Anganwadi system.
District Panchayat member Sameeksha Naik said the Women and Child Development Department had created various opportunities for families through its schemes. She said the department was encouraging self-help groups to undertake businesses and small-scale industries. Women in Sattari should take advantage of these opportunities and work towards becoming economically independent, she said.
Former municipal chairperson Prasanna Gauns appreciated the initiatives being undertaken under Rane’s leadership and said effective implementation at the grassroots level was essential for ensuring that the benefits of government schemes reached people.
Valpoi Child Development Project Officer Deepti Parab delivered the introductory address. She said Angan Utsav was organised as part of service-oriented initiatives marking the Prime Minister’s birthday.
The programme was attended by District Panchayat member Premanand Dalvi, former municipal chairperson Prasanna Gauns, councillors Ramdas Shirodkar, Anil Katkar, Vinod Haldankar, Sarfaraz Sayyed, Sheikh Faizal, Sharafat Khan, Nirmala Salkar, Sehjeen Sheikh and Vasaiddin Sayyed, as well as sarpanchas Devayani Gaonkar, Akshita Gaonkar and Pratima Wandekar. Nitesh Gaude, Govind Parab Fatrikar and Deepti Parab were also present. The event witnessed the participation of women, Anganwadi workers and helpers from different parts of Sattari taluka.
