Women and Youth Central to Realising Viksit Bharat Ambitions: Governor

Hyderabad: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla has underscored the pivotal role of women's empowerment and youth engagement in realising the Viksit Bharat vision, pointing to the Union government's commitment to broadening avenues for women across political, economic and social domains.

Speaking at Lok Bhavan on Saturday to participants who won recognition under the Viksit Vibrant Villages Programme and the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament, Shukla emphasised that the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has prioritised elevating women's contributions to nation-building. The event was hosted by the Telangana State Office of MY Bharat, functioning under the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

On the question of political empowerment, Shukla highlighted the 106th Constitutional Amendment, formally known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, as a watershed moment. The amendment guarantees one-third representation for women in Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies. Shukla expressed optimism that women's presence in legislative bodies would see substantial growth once the provision takes effect in the coming elections.

The Governor pointed to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana as evidence of progress in financial inclusion. The scheme has enabled millions, especially women, to enter the formal banking sector. By linking women to Self-Help Groups and routing welfare disbursements directly to their bank accounts, the initiative has bolstered both financial transparency and economic independence.

Shukla called upon women and youth to pursue entrepreneurship by capitalising on government schemes offering financial aid and incentives for small and micro enterprises. He exhorted young people to shift their mindset from seeking employment to generating opportunities for others.

Touching on national identity, Shukla remarked that Indians stand out globally through their shared identity as Indians, transcending regional boundaries. He appealed to the youth, including those in the diaspora, to nurture patriotism, preserve Indian cultural values and strengthen national cohesion. During the occasion, he also launched publicity materials aimed at encouraging young people to register on the MY Bharat Portal.