Everyday is Women's Day in India

Tirupati: For foreign countries, March 8 alone may be observed as Women's Day but in India every day is a women's day since we begin our day chanting 'Sri Matre Namaha', said YV Swarnalatha Reddy, the spouse of TTD chairman Y V Subba Reddy. International Women's Day was observed with fervour in TTD by women employees iaan a grand manner on Sunday at Annamacharya Kalamandiram here on Sunday.

Swarnalatha, who graced the occasion, in her keynote address stated that the women in India enjoyed equal rights in Vedic period till a series of foreign invasions which led to patriarchal approach in later years.

"However, after struggle we are again on the path of good olden days and marching ahead in all fields on par with men today," she said. She also exemplified how Gargi, Mytreyi, Lopamudra, Aditi and other women learnt Vedas in those days.

Later, in her address, Dr D Jamuna Rani, vice-chancellor of Sri Padmavati Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam in her address stated that it was only India where woman was revered as Goddess. However, there is a need to fight for women empowerment today in view of increased atrocities against women.

She also said that UNO slogan on International Women's Day 2020 is Gender Equality and it was time to achieve it. Another speaker Dr Ramalakshmi, a veteran gynaecologist, said even today the foeticide was taking place as the parents were not willing to give birth to girl child. "Today we have only 935 girls to 1,000 boys which signifies the atrocities against women.

This need to be addressed first to achieve equality," she added. Later, the felicitation to the women employees who are going to retire in TTD this year, cultural programmes took place. The event was organised under the aegis of welfare department of TTD. Spl Gr Dy EOs Parvati, Varalakshmi, Dy EOs Kasturibai, Lakshminarasamma, Shanti, Nagaratna, SPWDPG principal Mahadevamma, Telugu department head Dr Krishnaveni, Dr Kusumakumari, APRO P Neelima, superintendent Srivani, Employees Bank director Hemalatha and others were also present.