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

The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has greeted the women of the country on the occasion of the International Women's Day, which is being celebrated on March 8th.

In her message on this occasion, Smt. Patil has said, "On the occasion of International Women's Day, I extend my greetings and felicitations to all my sisters in their continuing role and their relentless effort in shaping the destiny of our country.

Our women folk inspired by Mahatma Gandhi came out of their homes to take part in the freedom struggle. Beginning with their determined efforts in the days before our freedom, today our women continue to strive to transform the social order into a more just and equal one. Now, many gifted women are making their mark in their chosen professions and each one of them can assist in eliminating social evils like female foeticide, infanticide, dowry etc. They should come forward and help to educate the hapless underprivileged girl child. The empowerment of women is the most effective tool for development as well as poverty alleviation."