Rajdhanis, Shatabdis to observe International Women's Day on March 8

New Delhi, Feb 21 (UNI) When you board a Rajdhani or a Shatabdi on March eight, you are likely to be greeted by announcements to observe the day as 'International Women's Day' and contribute your mite to ensure women's empowerment.

The idea has come straight from Minister of Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury, who has appealed to Railway Minister Lalu Prasad to provide such an arrangement on the country's two most important trains.

In a letter to the Railway Minister, Ms Chowdhury has also suggested that all Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains could play out a slogan on the theme of women's empowerment on March 8 -- International Women's Day.

She said she would soon be sending the slogan to be played in this connection to the Railway Ministry.

''...I would request you to instruct all Zonal Heads in the Railways to make arrangements for making an announcement on March 8 in all Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains reminding the passengers about observing that day as International Women's Day...'' she suggested in her letter.

The closed circuit TVs installed at the railway stations could also be used to make similar announcements, Ms Chowdhury said.

She said the expenditure, if any, involved in this could be met from the gender budget of the Railway Ministry. Under the Women Component Plan, at least 30 per cent of the budget allocated to each ministry or department has to be earmarked for schemes and programmes for the development of women.

''These gestures will go a long way in generating awareness about the issues before women,'' she said, adding that the theme being adopted by her ministry this year was "Survival to Success: Celebrate Her Life.'' She said the Railways could chip in in a substantial manner in renewing ''our commitment and resources'' to address the needs, guarantee rights and enhance the status of women in an unequal world.

''The significance of the International Women's Day lies in our reaffirmation to improve the condition of women, especially those at the margins of our society and empower them to take their rightful place in the society,'' she said, adding: ''This year, we propose to celebrate the International Women's Day during the entire month of March.'' UNI