Women told to develop spiritual values

International Women's Day was celebrated in the Church of South India at Gudemcheruvu of Jammalamadugu mandal in the district on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Pastor Sharada Reddy said that women should develop spiritual values and strive for spiritual and ethical development. She said that it was important for women to face challenges in life successfully and come out in flying colours in all fields of endeavour. In her speech, a woman named Shiba Rani said it was unfortunate that foeticides were still being conducted to get rid of the girl child. She said that women should take appropriate steps to protect themselves from the evil forces in the society. An awareness camp was held for women in which more than 200 people participated. Pastor B Sundar Raj, Pastor Jayakumar, women Lecturer Jyothiamma and Shyamala were present on the occasion. District Collector Kona Shasidhar said that women play a key role in the society in all walks of life side by side with men. Speaking on the occasion of International Women's Day after flagging off a rally from the office of the Municipal Corporation to the Collectorate here on Friday, he said that the Central and State governments were implementing several welfare schemes for women and called upon the women to fully utilize such schemes and become self-reliant. The Collector said that apart from women in urban areas, women's rally would also bring awareness among women living in rural areas and help them grow on equal terms with men. Tale of two brave women Proddutur: On the occasion of the International Women's Day, it would be most appropriate to shed light on some brave women who fought all odds and made a decent living in the society although they lost their husbands long back. One such woman is Gurumamma (50), who lost her husband 12 years ago. Instead of cursing herself and getting depressed, she established a grinding machine store with the money at her disposal and ran the machine shop. What is more, she got her three daughters married with the money she earned. She is truly a woman of substance.

Another woman Gajula Indira, who lost her husband eight years ago, set up a chicken selling counter and with the money she obtained, she was also able to get her two daughters married. These two women should serve a role model. Anantapur: "Education and economic self-reliance are essential for empowerment of women," said District Collector V Durga Das. He attended the International Women's Day programme at the NGO Home here on Friday. "Even though there is significant rise in the education and employment levels of women, still they are underrepresented," he said. He said that educating a woman would benefit the entire family. The Collector said that women discharge their duties with commitment and dedication when compared to their male counterparts. He expressed his concern over crimes against women. He pointed out that women were treated as a commodity in the media. Nellore: International Women's Day was celebrated at Vikram Simhapuri University here on Friday under the aegis of NSS. A large number of students, teaching and non-teaching staff participated in the event and made it a grand success. Speaking on the occasion, Registrar of the University Prof K Nagendra Prasad, who was the chief guest, said that a women's cell would be setup in the University to redress the grievances of women. He said that the University would always be in the forefront to protect the interests of women and take measures for their progress and development. Presiding over the meeting, University College Principal Prof. M Srinivasulu Reddy said that the Indian women were held in high esteem in different parts of the world where they had made a name for themselves in different fields of endeavour. He said that Indian women should come up in all walks of life. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Sunandanamma, who was appointed as in-charge of the women's cell said women should come up in life with hard work, grit and determination. The International Women's Day was celebrated with great fanfare and gaiety here on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Revenue Divisional Officer Madhavilatha said that women could come up in life and achieve great things only through sheer grit and determination. A huge women's rally was organized on the occasion. Holding placards and raising slogans, women demanded the enactment of special laws to deal with the atrocities that were being perpetrated on them. District Eunuchs Association leader Alekhya said that eunuchs should be categorised as women and they should reap all the benefits under the Indira Kranti Padham. On the occasion of the International Women's Day on Friday, the eunuchs took out a huge rally from V R College to the Trunk Road. Speaking on the occasion, Alekhya said that it was wrong to look down upon eunuchs in the society. They should also enjoy all the rights that were meant for women, she said. Tirupati: Minister for Cooperation Kasu Venkata Krishna Reddy said that parents should inculcate ethical, moral and human values among their children. Speaking at the International Women's Day celebrations organised by the Department of Women and Child Welfare at the Zilla Parishad meeting hall in Chittoor on Friday, he said once the parents explain to their children about gender equality, social relations and other burning issues, they would gain some knowledge, he added. The minister said that the State government was planning to distribute Rs 10,000 crore to the farmers through cooperative sector, which would be helpful for women. Minister Galla Aruna Kumari said that women were able performers in all fields and welfare schemes introduced by government brought self confidence in women and helped them economically. Later, she along with Minister Kasu distributed insurance certificates under 'Balika Samrakshna' scheme to a few beneficiaries. C K Lavanya, wife of MLA CK Babu said that the State government should punish the cuprites who indulge in crimes against women and certainly there was a need for stringent laws in the society. In Tirupati, Women's Day celebrations were organized in Sri Padmavathi Mahila University and Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences and Sri Venkateswara University. The women's wing of CPI also celebrated Women's Day in their party's office in which public prosecutor Latha, Dr. Krishna Prasanthi and few others attended. In a programme organised by SVIMS, Dr. Vengamma, director said that once the woman was educated, certainly the entire family would be benefited. The role of health was most important and this could be possible if the home-maker was educated, she pointed out. Sowmya Subramanyam, wife of TTD Executive Officer LV Subramanyam was felicitated by SVIMS staff.