Amid women’s day celebrations on Thursday, Governor Dr.K.K.Paul said that women needed to be empowered for which they should be educated. The Governor and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand congratulated the women of the state on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Congratulating the women on the occasion of International Women’s Day the Governor Dr K K Paul said that a country could progress only if the women are financially empowered. The Governor was addressing a gathering as the Chief guest of an award function organised by the Uttaranchal Mahila Association(UMA) to mark Women’s Day.

In his address the Governor said that rural areas needed to be made aware of the need for women empowerment. He suggested the UMA to carry on their activities in the rural areas so that women there are empowered.

The Governor also appreciated the Skill India program of the Prime Minister and said that the women are also being benefitted from it.

He gave away the UMA Shakti awards to women selected by UMA.

Earlier in his message on the occasion of International Women’s Day the Governor greeted the womenfolk and said that for the development and progress of any country, women needed to be educated and financially empowered.

He said that the Prime Minister’s “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” programme was an important initiative which should become a mission .”Let us resolve today ,once again, to respect women and give them opportunities to progress”.’In his message the Governor also highlighted the role of women in the state and said that they had played a pivotal role in the creation of the hill state of Uttarakhand. “Their problems should be solved and their lives made easier” , he stated.

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat also gave his greetings to the women via message on the Eve of Women’s day. In his message the CM also emphasized on women empowerment and said that it is a key for overall development of the society and the country.

” The state government has launched various schemes and projects for self-help women groups with an aim to financially secure them,” he said, adding that rural development projects have been designed, keeping in mind the role of women. Also a door-to-door survey program has been launched to improve child sex ratio in the state.