International Women’s Day was celebrated across the city by various organisations and government departments, by conducting meetings and award ceremonies.
Former High Court Judge Justice G. Chandraiah, addressing a meeting organised by Save Constitution Forum, quoted the late Justice Ramaswamy saying celebrating women’s day was about thanking one’s mother, sisters and grandmothers.
He spoke about democracy as the highest virtue, and said the Constitution was the most important document for an Indian, and is beyond any religious scripture.
Senior bureaucrat A. Murali pointed out that India ranks 108 among 149 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index, and trails behind even Islamic countries in maintaining gender equality.
Politician and social activist Lubna Sarwat questioned the State Cabinet not having a single woman minister.
The meeting was organised by balladeer Gaddar, with active participation of children from Mahabvodhi Vidyalaya and Hammamat Society. A child prodigy, Rimsha Firdous, was felicitated on the occasion.
Member of Parliament Bandaru Dattatreya, at a meeting organised by BJP Mahila Morcha, said ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ programme, Ujjwala scheme, and building of toilets were women-friendly measures taken by the NDA government. While praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving crucial Cabinet posts to women, he criticised the Telangana government for depriving women of the same.
Social change
At another meeting organised by the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) and Telangana Working Women Forum of AITUC, DRDO Associate Director G. Rohini said only social change can bring recognition and empowerment to women in all fields.
V. Praveen Rao, Vice-Chancellor of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, delivering his Women’s Day address, said all should work for the betterment of women.
The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj jointly with the Bharat Dynamics Limited launched a project to create awareness on hygienic practices and free supply of sanitary napkins to girl students of government schools in Ranga Reddy district.
SBI Telangana Circle felicitated Kuchipudi dancer Deepika Reddy, and mountaineer Malavath Poorna, with cash award of ₹50,000 each.
The NMDC celebrated the day by organising panel discussions on women’s empowerment and other topics.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) felicitated its women employees on the occasion, with Mayor Bonthu Ram Mohan reminding that the corporation has many women employees serving the public. The HMDA too organised cultural programmes on the occasion.
Eastern Condiments, involved in the manufacture of spices and condiments, presented Bhumika Eastern Awards to women.
