International Women’s Day 2020: No door in armed forces should be closed for women, says Rajnath Singh

Kashmir's Arifa shares her success story during an interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after receiving 'Nari Shakti Puraskar'.

PM Modi while interacting with 'Nari Shakti Puraskar' awardee Bhudevi said, "I congratulate you for your efforts. Govt this year has taken up a very big mission for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), you must avail its benefits."

A hilarious tweet from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Twitter handle is making rounds on the internet and to everyone’s surprise, it is not tweeted by the PM but by a Chennai-based social worker. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Modi had signed off from all of his social media handles and handed them over to seven women achievers for them to “share their life’s journey” for the day. “As I’d said a few days ago, I’m signing off. Through the day, seven women achievers will share their life journeys and perhaps interact with you through my social media accounts,” Modi had said on Sunday, after issuing women day greetings. Read more here

PM Modi while interacting with 'Nari Shakti Puraskar' awardees said, "When you started your work, you must have done it as a mission or to do something valuable in life or would have just gone with the flow. It must have not been for reward but today you've become inspiration for others."

Veena Devi, fondly known as 'Mushroom Mahila' for popularizing mushroom cultivation, was one of the awardees. Devi, 43, is a mushroom grower and was 'sarpanch' of Dhauri Panchayat, Tetiabamber block for five years. She has trained farmers on mushroom farming, organic farming, vermin-compost production, organic insecticide preparation at home. She has been awarded for popularising mushroom production in five blocks and 105 neighbouring villages in Munger district, impacting 1,500 women.  She has been involved in spreading digital literacy and was awarded for training 700 women on how to use mobile phones by Tata Trusts.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed off from his social media accounts Sunday, women achievers took over the handles to share their life stories with the rest of the world on International Women’s Day. Sending out greetings on Twitter in the morning, PM Modi said, “We salute the spirit and accomplishments of our Nari Shakti. As I’d said a few days ago, I’m signing off. Through the day, seven women achievers will share their life journeys and perhaps interact with you through my social media accounts.” Read more here

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8, many women in Tripura say they haven’t heard of the occasion at all and those who have, feel token celebrations won’t ensure their safety and freedom in the society. Tripura was dubbed as the capital of crimes against women in 2010 with 46.5 per cent of all crimes registered against women, then highest in the country as per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports. Seven years later, the figures came down significantly with the state ranking 14 in crimes against women in 2017. NCRB report for the year came after a delay of two years in October last year; current reports are yet to come.

There is no greater love than the love for books. Even better, when it is shared in the family. Thirty-two-year-old Deepthi Rohith was on her maternity leave when the idea to start an online book store came to her. She shared it with her family, pronto, and breathed life into the now-thriving Owlets Reading Room which, in her own words, is “India’s first WhatsApp-based books and toy store for kids aged 0 to 9”. This International Women’s Day, the Bengaluru-based freelance soft skills trainer, psychology graduate (who also has an MBA in HR), and a mother of two, tells indianexpress.com over the mail why she decided to start this venture with her parents, what teaming up with her own mother was like, and why it is important for young parents to inculcate the habit of reading in their children. Read more here

The fifth woman to take over PM's social media account was Vijaya Pawar, an artisan from Banjara community of rural Maharashtra. "You have heard about handicrafts from different parts of India. My fellow Indians, I present to you handicrafts of the Banjara community in rural Maharashtra. I have been working on this for the last 2 decades and have been assisted by a thousand more women," she wrote.

Padala Bhudevi, 40, has been working for the development of tribal women, widows, Podu lands through a community based organization- CAVS (Chinnai Adhivasi Vikas Society), established by her father, in 1996. She was awarded for training 30 women in making mehendi cones and hair care products. Despite being forcefully married at the age of 11 years, facing mental and physical torture from husband and in-laws, Padala Bhudevi has come a long way, single handedly raising three daughters and successfully motivating women to participate in agri-entrepreneural activities. (PTI)

A jawan of the border guarding force ITBP has composed and sung a Hindi song to mark International Women's Day on Sunday, officials said. The 7:24 minute audio-visual song, titled 'Lado, meri lado', was released by the force on its official social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Head constable Arjun Kheriyal is a singing talent of the force and the song narrates the contribution of women for the family and nation-building, an ITBP spokesperson said. It has been composed and sung by the 35-year-old jawan who joined the force in 2002 and is currently posted in Delhi, he told news agency PTI.

The award was also conferred on Kalavati Devi, a 58-year-old lady mason, who acted as a driving force towards reducing open defecation in the district of Kanpur.  She is responsible for building over 4,000 toilets in villages in and around Kanpur and has gone door to door to create awareness about the ills of open defecation.  (PTI)

Another awardee was 103-year-old Mann Kaur. Known as 'Miracle from Chandigarh', Kaur started her athletic career at the age of 93. She won four Gold (Track and Field) at World Masters Athletic Championship, Poland and has set a record by becoming the world's fastest centenarian at the American Masters Game, 2016. She has been associated with Fit India Movement and is the oldest person to walk along the top of Auckland's Sky Tower (2017). (PTI)

Bina Devi, fondly known as 'Mushroom Mahila' for popularizing mushroom cultivation, was one of the awardees. Devi, 43, is a mushroom grower and was 'sarpanch' of Dhauri Panchayat, Tetiabamber block for five years. She has trained farmers on mushroom farming, organic farming, vermin-compost production, organic insecticide preparation at home. She has been awarded for popularising mushroom production in five blocks and 105 neighbouring villages in Munger district, impacting 1,500 women.  She has been involved in spreading digital literacy and was awarded for training 700 women on how to use mobile phones by Tata Trusts. (PTI)

After receiving Nari Shakti Puraskar, Flight lieutenant Bhawana Kanth said, "Such an award is a privilege to us for all the hard work we put through. It gives a lot of motivation to the services that we are doing and to all the ladies who aspire of becoming something in the future."

Kalpana Ramesh who has undertaken extensive rainwater harvesting initiatives and advocates water conservation is the fourth woman to take over PM's social media accounts today. Ramesh solicited for sustainable use of water. Small efforts can make a big impact.  Water is a valuable inheritance we got. Let's not deprive our next generations. Contribute by using water responsibly, harvesting rainwater, saving lakes, recycling used water and creating awareness, "she tweeted via prime minister's account. The spirit of dreaming big and not giving up was resonated in her tweets.

A craftswoman who wishes to revive the crafts industry in Kashmir and empower local women is the third woman to take over PM's social media accounts for Women's Day. Emphasising the need for women to become self-reliant Arifa said "This gesture by PM  @narendramodi has boosted my morale and it'll help me to work harder for the betterment of craft as well as the artisans all over Kashmir. I feel it is important for more women to focus on becoming self-reliant and help other women."

As part of the International Women’s Day campaign organized by the Indian Railways between March 1 and 10, the South Central Railways Friday launched an all-women-run passenger train between Secunderabad and Vikarabad. The train was flagged off by the women staff of Secunderabad railway station and had on board women personnel as the loco pilot, assistant loco pilot, train guard, TTEs and RPF personnel.  Read more..

Lieutenant Shalu Sehgal, a legal officer in the Army with the Corps of Military Police (CMP) in Bengaluru, is the first person from her family ever to have joined the Army. Hailing from Amritsar in Punjab, the 28-year-old, however, becomes the talk of the town every time she reaches home for vacation, with a queue of acquaintances demanding her to exhibit her physical strength. Read more...

The Nari Shakti Award ceremony was filled with women who came from diverse backgrounds but were united in their spirit and zest to do something for their community and inspire several women.  Among the women awarded was a 103-year-old Mann Kaur who has won more than 30 medals in sports events across the world. Kalavati Devi from Uttar Pradesh who has contributed in making more than 4000 toilets. The three Indian Air Force pilots were the first women pilots to take a solo flight in MIG-21. All the 15 women awarded have contributed to their community in a unique way. International Women's Day marks celebrating such achievements across the nation.

President Ram Nath Kovind was present along with his wife Savita Kovind and the Union Cabinet Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Smriti Irani to award the Nari Shakti Puraskars on the occasion of International Women's Day. The fifteen winners who were present today were chosen from across the country and will be awarded a sum of Rs 2 lakh for their extraordinary achievements in their respective fields. Union Cabinet Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister Ratan Lal Kataria, Debasree Chaudhuri also greeted the occasion with their presence. 

Malvika Iyer who is a bomb blast survivor and a disability activist is the second woman to take over PM Modi's social media handles on the occasion of Women's Day. Urging people to spread awareness and end discrimination against differently-abled people she said "I believe that education is indispensable for change. We need to sensitize young minds about discriminatory attitudes. We need to show people with disabilities as role models instead of showing them as weak and dependent."

Among women to be awarded Nari Shakti Puraskar today are IAF's first women fighter pilots Avani Chaturvedi, Mohana Jitarwal and Bhawana Kanth. These women were the first women pilots to take a solo flight in MIG-21, ANI reported.  Another woman, Bhudevi is being awarded for helping women in Telengana's tribal areas develop entrepreneurship. The Nari Shakti Puraskars will be given by the president at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. 

On the occasion of Women's Day, President Ram Nath Kovind will be awarding 20 women with the 'Nari Shakti Puraskars' at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today. Among women who will receive the award is a 104-year-old woman Man Kaur who has a total of 30 medals in track and field events across the world, ANI reported.  Arfa Jan from Jammu and Kashmir is another woman who will receive the award for her role in reviving the dying handicrafts in the UT.

The first women achiever to take over PM Modi's account is Sneha Mohandoss who started an initiative called Foodbank India which aims to eliminate Hunger and has served 2.5 million meals in the country. Mohandoss talked about her passion and urged people to feed people in need. “I feel empowered when I do what I'm passionate about! I wish to inspire my fellow citizens, especially women to come forward and join hands with me. I urge everyone to feed atleast one needy person and contribute to a hunger free planet.” she tweeted via PM's account.

Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of International Women's Day saluted the spirit and accomplishments of 'Nari Shakti'. The prime minister announced on Twitter today that seven women achievers will share their life journeys through his social media accounts. "As I’d said a few days ago, I’m signing off. Through the day, seven women achievers will share their life journeys and perhaps interact with you through my social media accounts." he said.  He further emphasised the great work done by Indian women across the nation and highlighted the need to celebrate these achievements. “India has outstanding women achievers in all parts of the nation. These women have done great work in a wide range of sectors. Their struggles and aspirations motivate millions. Let us keep celebrating the achievements of such women and learning from them”, he tweeted. 

On the occasion of International Women's Day, Union Cabinet Minister Smriti Irani hoped for a new India enriched by women-led development. Taking to Twitter she said "This International Women’s day we reaffirm our commitment to inclusive growth & parity in all endeavours. May we thrive together and build a Nation of our dreams; a New India ably enriched by Women-led development." In an earlier tweet, Irani highlighted how the government is working towards boosting textile growth and "enabling women-led Development by harnessing prowess of women". 

President Ram Nath Kovind today emphasized the need to celebrate the crucial role that women play in building a better society, nation, and the world. Taking to Twitter, he said, "On International Women's Day, greetings and best wishes to women in India and across our planet. This day is an occasion to celebrate the untiring efforts and crucial role of women in building a better society, nation, and world," he said. He also highlighted the need to ensure safety and respect for women. "Let us reaffirm our pledge to ensure safety and respect for women so that they can move forward unhindered according to their wish in the direction of fulfilling their hopes and aspirations," he tweeted.  

On the occasion of International Women's Day, Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank emphasized that the central government's campaign for empowering women through education, Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao is reaching "newer heights".  He said "I extend my best wishes to all the women. We are working towards women empowerment by the way of the new education policy. Today, 'Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao' is reaching newer heights." ANI reported

On International Women's Day 2020 the UN Women is highlighting the need to have a stronger gender equality commitment across the globe. Their statement said, "The Generation Equality campaign is bringing together people of every gender, age, ethnicity, race, religion and country, to drive actions that will create the gender-equal world we all deserve". They called for technology and innovation in gender equality, feminist leadership and economic justice and rights for all. 

Taking to twitter UN Women emphasized that no country in the world has achieved gender equality to date. "We've come a long way, but the fight isn’t over and our rights are still under assault." The theme for this year's women's day is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights” and the body is emphatically throwing light on how "small actions making big impact" to achieve the goal of gender equality. 

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On International Women's Day, Kaitlin Urka's goal of having an all-female crew leading an NHL game will become a reality. For the first time in the United States history, a pro hockey game led solely by women will be broadcasted on NBCSN. The idea was approved by NBC executives, after Urka, one of the producers for the game, pitched the idea, early in the season. AJ Mleczko, who will be the analyst for the game, said, 'There is significance and history to it. Everyone is awesome at their jobs and it was not a stretch to find women who could do the roles on the broadcast.''

Maria Elena Rios, an acid attack victim, called out other women to not live in fear. Rios was speaking six months after she was allegedly attacked by goons hired by her boyfriend. She believes that her ex-boyfriend ordered two men to throw acid on her, last September.Rios, who was speaking through a bandage covering the burns on her face, is one of many women to have suffered abuse by their romantic partners in Mexico, where femicides have risen 137% in the last five years.While women throughout Mexico prepare to demonstrate against violence on International Women's Day, Rios was speaking out in hopes officials will find and punish her assailant.  "We need an example of punishment so that this doesn't happen again to any other woman," she said. (Reuters)

Suhasini Ganguly’s was a life dedicated entirely to the cause of her motherland’s freedom. Born on 3 February 1909 in Khulna, now in Bangladesh, Ganguly spent her teens in her hometown and in Dhaka. Not much is known of her formative years and of how she developed sympathies for revolutionaries but academics agree that her transition into a fierce revolutionary fighter occurred in her early twenties. It coincided with her relocation to Calcutta where she began working as a teacher for students with hearing and speech difficulties. Read more here

The men of the Tagore family in Calcutta, especially its biggest name Rabindranath Tagore, have been well-documented for their roles in the freedom movement and their contributions in the fields of the arts, science and literature. However, the narratives never give due space to the women of the household. Rabindranath Tagore’s niece Sarala Devi is one such name. Read more here

Air India will operate 52 flights with all-women crew to mark the International Women's Day on Sunday, according to an airline spokesperson. In a release on Saturday, the national carrier said it would operate several all-women crew flights on its international and domestic routes, including the non-stop Delhi to San Francisco flight. This is to mark International Women's Day. "Women cockpit and cabin crew of Air India are operating both wide and narrow-body aircraft... to salute woman power in sync with our socio-cultural ethos," the release said. (PTI)

A female-owned Shell station in San Dimas, California will add an apostrophe to its logos on March 8 in an effort to inspire "the female leaders of tomorrow by closing the gender gap in engineering and technology through education, engagement, and awareness across the organization and industry," a Shell spokesperson told international news agency CBS. It's part of their new initiative "She Will," which seeks to diversify the company's workforceCBSN producer Sam Gavin posted a mock-up of the updated logo, which includes a comically small apostrophe to turn "Shell" into "She'll." 

As part of the International Women’s Day campaign organized by the Indian Railways between March 1 and 10, the South Central Railways Friday launched an all-women-run passenger train between Secunderabad and Vikarabad. The train was flagged off by the women staff of Secunderabad railway station and had on board women personnel as the loco pilot, assistant loco pilot, train guard, TTEs and RPF personnel. Promoting the theme ‘Each for equal’, the train had an all-women crew for the 72-kilometer long journey that takes 80 minutes to cover. Read full story

Pritilata Waddedar is not exactly a forgotten revolutionary. But then she is not that well known even in her native Bengal where she spent her short life actively waging war against British rule. Born in Chittagong, now in Bangladesh, Waddedar was a promising student, having spent her school years in her hometown. While a student at Eden College in Dhaka, Wadderdar’s anti-British sentiments began to take a more form as she slowly developed connections with other women who were spearheading semi-revolutionary groups. One such was with Leela Nag, a student at Dhaka University and an associate of Subhash Chandra Bose, who established the Deepali Sangha, a revolutionary group that provided combat training to women. Read more...

The men of the Tagore family in Calcutta, especially its biggest name Rabindranath Tagore, have been well-documented for their roles in the freedom movement and their contributions in the fields of the arts, science and literature. However, the narratives never give due space to the women of the household. Rabindranath Tagore’s niece Sarala Devi is one such name. To identify her merely as Tagore’s niece would be dismissing her own accomplishments and diminishing the innumerable ways in which she fought not only for independence from British rule but for women’s rights as well. Read more...

Suhasini Ganguly’s was a life dedicated entirely to the cause of her motherland’s freedom. Born on 3 February 1909 in Khulna, now in Bangladesh, Ganguly spent her teens in her hometown and in Dhaka. Not much is known of her formative years and of how she developed sympathies for revolutionaries but academics agree that her transition into a fierce revolutionary fighter occurred in her early twenties. It coincided with her relocation to Calcutta where she began working as a teacher for students with hearing and speech difficulties. Read more...

This Women's Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with 'Nari Shakti' awardees while his Twitter account will be handled by women achievers, the Prime Minister's Office said. The interaction will take place after President Ram Nath Kovind gives away the 'Nari Shakti' awards at an event at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday morning. "Prime Minister's Twitter account would be handled by women achievers tomorrow on the occasion of International Women's Day," a statement from the PMO said on Saturday.

South Western Railway has confirmed that an all-woman crew will run Rajya Rani Express on March 8 from Bengaluru to Mysuru, after being felicitated at KSR Railway station.

The Railways is conducting a ten-day-long 'Each for Equal' campaign from March 1 to 10 across the Zonal Railways in view of the upcoming International Women's Day, the national transporter said in a statement. "The theme of the Campaign is #EachforEqual signifying that collectively each one of us can help create a gender-equal world and Railway is also focussing on #SheInspiresUs highlighting the inspiring stories of women achievers. "In this campaign, Indian Railways is highlighting the steps taken to provide exclusive facilities to women passengers, to empower women employees and enhance the role of women employees working in Indian Railways," the statement said.

The 25th-anniversary commemoration of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2020 is a rallying point to insist on finally achieving the human rights of all women and girls and will be organized as a global mobilization.

UN Women's theme this year is "Generation Equality" and the campaign strives to bring together people of every gender, age, ethnicity, race, religion and country, to drive actions that will create the gender-equal world that everyone deserves. "Together, we want to mobilize to end gender-based violence; we are calling for economic justice and rights for all; bodily autonomy, sexual and reproductive health and rights; and feminist action for climate justice. We want technology and innovation for gender equality; and feminist leadership," a statement by the international organisation's Women arm read. 

On the eve of International Women's Day, President Ram Nath Kovind asked the nation on Saturday to reaffirm the pledge to ensure safety and respect for women, PTI reported.  He also extended hearty congratulations and best wishes to all women and said, this was the occasion to show respect to women for their crucial role and untiring efforts in building a better society, nation and world. "On the occasion of the International Women's Day, let us reaffirm our pledge to ensure safety and respect for women, so that they can move forward unhindered according to their wish in the direction of fulfilling their hopes and aspirations," the president added.

On the eve of International Women's Day which is celebrated every year on March 8, we bring you all the latest updates from India and globally. Follow this space for more.