Port Blair, March 7: The International Women's Day was celebrated with fervour by the Pradesh Mahila Congress under the leadership of Smt. Bindu Kumari at Gandhi Bhawan, Port Blair. ANTCC President, Shri. Rangalal Halder and ANTCC Campaign Committee Chairman Shri. G Bhasker were the special invitees on this occasion.

On this occasion, Shri. Halder and Shri. Bhasker honoured Women Congress Workers by presenting shawls and flower bouquets.

Bhasker said, “The first step for empowering women starts at home when parents give equal opportunities to their sons and daughters to pursue education and the freedom to make decisions".

Zilla Parishad Member, Smt. Mariyam Bibi said, "Respect for women must start at the family level and there is a need to have an ideological change when it comes to providing equal opportunities and respect for women. We also need to fight against several stigmas attached to women in our society.”

Smt. Bindu Kumari stated that celebrating women is a way of feeling gratitude to each and every woman in one’s life, be it in the professional or the personal life. The day is observed around the world to celebrate the importance of women and an equal future.

Ex-Pradesh Mahila Congress President, Smt. Shanta Laxman Singh stated that women should be respected as mother, wife and sister, while advising women to strive for achieving excellence along with men in education, employment, finance, political fields.

Among the others present at the event included Congress Senior Leaders, Shri. A.R Manickam, ANTCC Spokesperson- Shri. Tamil Selvan, NSUI State President, Mr. M.A Sajid, Ex-DCC General Secretary, Shri. Abhibhusan Ghosh, PBMC Councilors, Smt. Mangayarkarasi, Smt. Vasantha, Shri. Joga Rao , Pramukh, Ferrargunj Tehsil, Smt. Padmawathi and other Party Workers.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Senior Congress Leader, Smt. Neela Devi.