Staff Reporter

Date:09/03/2008

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/09/stories/2008030952380300.htm

PUDUCHERRY: Seminars, meetings and cultural events marked International Women´s day on Saturday, with women from all walks of life in the Union Territory actively participating in various events on the day.

In his message, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy greeted women and assured to work towards the development of women. He said the government had implemented several welfare schemes for women.

Financial assistance had been provided for girl students belonging to the Adi Dravidar community and studying in Standard I to V and provision of opportunity cost for parents of students studying from Standard VI to XII to prevent school drop-outs.

He also said the government had introduced a 50 per cent concession on documentation charges for immovable properties registered in the names of women.

Madras High Court Judge Prafulla Kumar Misra said only a change in the mindset of individuals could bring to an end the atrocities against women.

Speaking at a function organised by women lawyers of Puducherry on Saturday, he said: “Every individual, be it a man or a woman, has to change the mindset so as to recognise each others contribution.’

Other speakers, including Madras High Court Judges Chitra Venkataraman and V. Rama Subramanian and Chief Judge of Puducherry D. Krishnaraja, stressed the need for emancipation of society rather than focussing on gender specific empowerment to have a better social order.

Leader of Puducherry Congress party Shanmugham also conveyed his greetings on the occasion. He said the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi had come true with the country witnessing a number of women leaders in the past and present.
New scheme

Meanwhile, leader of the Puducherry Munnetra Congress Kannan said the benefits of welfare schemes had not reached the women in Puducherry. The party had come up with a new scheme to help the economically backward sections, he added.
Women achievers honoured

On the occasion, Integra Software Services Limited felicitated women achievers of the organisation.

Addressing the gathering, Managing Director Sriram Subramanya said 60 per cent of their employees were women. “As an organisation, we have always given importance to recruitment of women across all positions and departments in the company. This is because we have found that an eye for detail is high among women,’ he said.

A crèche would start functioning from May 1 at the company, he added. They had also formed a women task force known as ‘Sakthi Oli´ to champion various initiatives for women integrity for the next one year.

Dishaa, an organisation for the underprivileged, urged women in Puducherry to spare an hour every day to look into problems surrounding them.