Modi says India is close to creating history
New Delhi: Ahead of the three-day sitting of Parliament to amend the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhinayam from Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the nation was close to creating a new history, when the women’s reservation law will be amended this week for its implementation in 2029 and will fulfil the vision of the past and the resolutions of the future.
Addressing the Nari Shakti Vandan programme at Vigyan Bhavan here, Modi described the moment as “historic” and said that the wait of decades, for reservations for women from the state Assemblies to Parliament, was coming to an end.
Emphasising the importance of social justice, he stressed the country envisions an egalitarian India where social justice was not merely a slogan but an integral part of the work culture.
Recalling the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhinayam in the new Parliament building in 2023, the PM noted that the measure was passed unanimously with all parties agreeing it should be implemented by 2029 in any case.
Modi said the Act must be implemented in time so that women’s participation strengthene democracy, for which a special session of Parliament’s Budget Session will begin from April 16. “Our effort and priority is this work should be accomplished through dialogue, cooperation and participation, which will enhance the dignity of Parliament,” he said.
The PM observed that women across the country were voicing their aspirations about reaching Assemblies and the Lok Sabha and their dreams have received new wings and a positive atmosphere has been created in the country. “I appeal to all women to maintain their active participation in this entire process and meet their MPs to share their perspectives and expectations,” urged the Prime Minister.
Tracing the contribution of women from the freedom struggle to the Constituent Assembly, the PM highlighted the immense role of “Nari Shakti” in laying the foundation of independent India, and women who got opportunities for representation have done outstanding work for the nation.
He observed that even today, from the President to the finance minister, women are holding important positions. “From President to Prime Minister, wherever women have been, they have created their own legacy,” Modi said.
Citing panchayati raj institutions as an excellent example of women's leadership, the PM said today 14 lakh women were successfully working in local government bodies and in approximately 21 states, their participation in panchayats has reached nearly 50 per cent.
“This active participation of lakhs of women in politics and social life surprises even the world’s leading leaders and political experts, enhancing India’s pride,” he remarked.
Referring to various studies, the PM pointed out when women’s participation in the decision-making processes increased, it brought sensitivity to systems. “This has led to more dedicated work on issues like water, education, health and nutrition. The success of Jal Jeevan Mission is an example where women's participation at the panchayat level has played a major role,” Modi said.
Emphasising that lakhs of women working in local bodies and institutions for years now possess extensive experience, the PM said that they were ready and eager for bigger roles and implementing the Nari Shakti Vandan Act would become a great opportunity in the lives of all such women. “The journey from panchayat to Parliament is going to become easier,” affirmed the Prime Minister.
Highlighting the critical role of women in the Viksit Bharat journey, the PM expressed satisfaction that the NDA government at the Centre had created schemes for every stage of women’s life cycle since 2014, from the first breath to the last, and stood ready to serve them with various schemes.
Addressing women's safety, a major societal challenge, the PM said the government had taken strong steps in this direction, legal reforms had been made and fast-track special courts established to make the justice system more sensitive and speed up decision-making. “The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita prioritises women’s safety, simplifies FIR filing procedures allowing e-FIR or Zero-FIR from any location, and provisions for recording victim statements through audio-video,” he said.
The Prime Minister assured every woman that the nation understood their aspirations and is taking every necessary step to realise their dreams.
“Let us all together resolve that Nari Shakti will have their rights and they will become full participants in the decision-making process -- this is the biggest guarantee of our bright future,” he added.
