India seeing women-led development, says Modi

New Delhi: Ensuring participation of women in all fields of life is every Indian’s fundamental duty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday and noted that the dream of a New India envisages women who are strong, empowered and equal partners in development.

Addressing his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio broadcast, the Prime Minister said a woman’s power today underlined inner fortitude and self-confidence, which made her self-reliant.

“Not only has she herself advanced but has carried forward the country and society to newer heights...Today the country is moving forward from the path of women development to women-led development,” he said.

Mr Modi said it was “our fundamental duty” to ensure the participation of women in every field of life, be it social or economic.

Referring to International Women’s Day observed every year on March 8, he recalled the words of Swami Vivekananda, who had said the idea of  “perfect womanhood” was “perfect independence”.

“We are part of a tradition where men were identified because of women. Yashoda-Nandan, Kaushalya-Nandan, Gand-hari-Putra, these were identities of a son...,” he said.

As India observes National Science Day on February 28, the Prime Minister also stressed the importance of the “relentless quest” for truth.

“And this is the very essence, the real inspiration behind scientific inventions and discoveries. Never rest till every ‘why’, ‘what’ and ‘how’ are answered,” he said.

In his address, the prime minister also spoke on the issue of safety ahead of National Safety Day on March 4. “If we are not aware of safety in our daily life, if we are not able to attain a certain level, it will get extremely difficult during the time of disasters,” he said.

He also urged the people to inculcate safety in their day-to-day lives, stressing that India had to become a “risk-conscious” society.

Mr Modi said till three years ago, thousands of people lost their lives every year because of heat waves. Since then, the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) has organised workshops on heat wave management as part of a campaign to raise awareness among the people, he said.