Dehra
Women associated with the JICA Forestry Project are emerging as inspiring examples of empowerment in Himachal Pradesh. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, a programme was organised at the Saving Bhawan in Dehra, where Dehra MLA Kamlesh Thakur attended as the chief guest and appreciated the efforts of hardworking women involved in the project.
Addressing the gathering, Kamlesh Thakur said that women in Himachal Pradesh have become increasingly empowered and are successfully competing with men in various fields. She added that the state government has launched several welfare schemes for women, which are helping them become economically independent and socially stronger.
During the programme, the MLA interacted directly with women associated with the project, including those present at the venue and others who joined online from remote areas. She encouraged them to continue their efforts and contribute to the development of their families and communities.
Earlier, Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Project Director of the JICA Forestry Project, Dr Sanjay Sood, welcomed the chief guest. He said that through the forestry project, women from rural areas are improving their livelihoods and strengthening their economic condition by participating in various income-generating activities.
Professor and Academic Expert Advisor from the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR), Chandigarh, Dr Meenakshi Sood, also addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of women’s participation in development.
On the occasion, self-help groups displayed and sold their products through stalls set up at the venue. The chief guest appreciated their creativity and efforts. MLA Kamlesh Thakur also honoured women from self-help groups of the Dehra, Dharamshala, Nurpur and Palampur forest divisions for their outstanding work, while self-help groups from 18 other forest divisions were honoured through an online platform.
Special programmes were also organised at all forest division levels under the JICA Forestry Project to mark International Women’s Day, chaired by the respective Divisional Forest Officers.
Among those present on the occasion were CF Hamirpur Nishant Mandhotra, CF Dharamshala Basu Kaushal, Project Director Shrestha Nand Sharma, DFO Dehra Sunny Verma, Director Forest Development Corporation Dharamshala Nitin Patil, Divisional Manager FDC Dharamshala Ambrish Sharma, APD Kullu Vandana Thakur, along with other officials and staff of the department and the project.
