Media should play role informing women about their rights: Naidu

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday urged media to play its role in informing women about their rights, saying women empowerment, emancipation and equality were critical factors in nations development. Inspirational stories of the famous women and interviews of achievers would motivate "unnoticed" women, he said, urging state broadcaster Prasar Bharati to play a vital role in spreading the message of the numerous schemes the government has for the girl child, adolescent girl and women. "Creating and developing programmes which carried the message, preferably in a subtle manner, of the latent talent and strength women possessed. This would strengthen the women movement in the country. "Media should play a greater role in informing women about their rights and Nari Shakti (women power) programmes should be encouraged across media platforms. Women empowerment, emancipation and equality are the three critical factors defining the role of women in nation's development," Naidu said on the occasion of of DD News celebrating its 100th episode of "Tejasvini".

Naidu noted that while "we have emerged from regressive attitudes and practices of the past, gender equality and sensitisation still remain a task to be fulfilled". "It was imperative to draw from the valuable contributions and examples set by great women leaders and intellectuals who have adorned the history of our nation. Our nation has come a long way in bringing up the social pedestal on which women stand." Naidu also felicitated 14 Tejasvinis from different walks of life on the occasion and inaugurated the Tejaswini YouTube link. Those felicitated by the minister included Paralympic 2017 silver medalist Deepa Malik, Delhi's first auto rickshaw driver Sunita Chaudhary, social activist Geetanjali Babbar, first woman head of a paramilitary force Archana Ramasundaram, world's first woman professional Tabla player Pandita Anuradha Pal and Bharatnatyam artiste Sonal Mansigh. Others filicited on the occasion were Swachchta ambassador Usha Chomar, Yogacharya Prathistha Saraswat, Wing Commander Pooja Thakur, best sports person with disabilities Pragya Ghildiyal, mountaineer Santosh Yadav and acid attack survivors Rupa, Madhu and Neetu.