Port Blair, Feb 4: A two- day seminar organized by JNRM on ‘socio economic empowerment of Indian women through self-employment schemes and SHG initiatives: with reference to Island women’ got underway today at JNRM auditorium here. The seminar is sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research, ERC, Kolkata (MHRD) co-sponsored by Anthropological Survey of India & NABARD, Port Blair and it was inaugurated by the Secretary (Hr. Education), Smt. Kriti Garg as the chief guest.
In her address on the occasion, the Secretary (Hr. Education) expressed happiness on the conduct of seminar having unique amalgamation of research, field experience and academicians under one roof to enlighten the young students on the issues of women empowerment, especially relating to these Islands in terms of self- employment schemes of SHG initiatives. The Secretary further said the social fabric in A&N Islands is very strong and there are no cases of social inequality. The young boys and girls here are given equal opportunity to excel, she added.
Referring to the demographic dividend, the Secretary said that by the end of this decade, India will be one of the Countries having largest work force. This opportunity would be missed if, the woman is not integrated and A&N Islands cannot be left out from the entire scheme of things, she added.
Conveying her best wishes for the two- day seminar, the Secretary underlined the need for encouraging the students to take up some research, field work for empowering women to the last mile and to the last house hold in the remotest part of this Country. The Section Officer, ICSSR-ERC, Kolkata, Mr. Narendranath Tikadar, the GM NABARD, Mr. V. Meshar and the Head of Office, AnSI, Dr. Nilanjan Khatua also spoke on the occasion.
Welcoming the chief guest and others present on the occasion, the Principal JNRM, Dr. N. Francis Xavier informed about the developments taking place in JNRM, the oldest college of these Islands. He said the new Golden Jubilee Block of the college is ready and the construction work of the boys and girls hostel is progressing well.
The inaugural session of the seminar came to an end with the word of thanks proposed by the co-ordinator, Dr. Hema Bannerjee.
