President of India’s Message on the Occasion of International Women’s Day

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in his message on the occasion of International Women’s Day, which is observed every year on March 8, has said: -

"On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, I extend my warm greetings and felicitations to the women of India for their monumental role in shaping the destiny of the nation.

Women are always a source of inspiration for the family, society and the nation. In India, women have been in the forefront of every progressive movement, making their mark in each and every walk of life and taking part in the forward march of the nation in a major way. It is our duty to empower the girl child with value based education so that the family, society and ultimately the nation is empowered.

Celebrations of this day on 8th March is an opportunity to dedicate ourselves to ensuring the safety and security of women. We must strive for a world based on gender equality and justice. Women must be given their due and treated with respect and dignity.

I wish the women of India health, happiness, safety, success and continued progress as well as prosperity in the years ahead”.

This release issued at 1800 hrs