Women empowerment over 'chai': Narendra Modi

New Delhi, March 8: Today's Chai pe charcha with

will be as special as the Womens' Day. The second round of the 'Charcha', organised across India, will deal with

, apart from issues related to women. This interactive session will throw light on a host of topics related to women and the challenges they are facing in different aspects of life.

While this is not just one issue that Modi would be discussing, others include the way the country can unite for a single strong nation. How the development of the nation depends on each one of the citizens. He focuses on Unity in Diversity and also hails the Lauh Purush-Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.

Highlights: Modi's memorable speeches

5:04 pm: For running the country, we need to work unitedly. We have to respect our country's diversity. I have seen how Vajpayee worked as a unit in the Centre.

Arrogance and attitude of the Centre as the 'giver' is not acceptable. And we will change it.

5:07pm: What is happening to the women here is not acceptable and a shame for a country. We have to save women and girls and that's how we build the country. We have to change the perspective toward women. She is not just a homemaker, but also a nation builder and then can only earn the respect of the world.

5:11 pm: Poor should be empowered and so should the women be. And whenever we have given a woman a chance, we have got results.

5:14 pm: We have been buying things from outside. We have to remove that. Now, India should produce and the world will buy. We will take technology and culture together.

My Idea of India is "Ahimsa Parmodharma", "Satyamev Jayate", "vaishnav jan to tene kahiye je" "Nari tu narayani".

5:29 pm: I would not ask you to vote for me, but Vote for India for better governance, better life, food, for the poor.

5:30 pm: People from 1500 locations will be discussing women empowerment with Narendra Modi. On the panel are Kiran Bedi and Ashok Mallik.

Chai pe Charcha: Challenges facing Indian women

5:38 pm: Women's health and infanticide

People come up with problems regarding inefficient healthcare centre, education and awareness.Main problem persist due to lack of education.

5:41 pm: Cottage industries and women

Women engaged with cottage industries have a problem with marketing their products, technical knowhow and legal liabilities. Women self-help group suggest that there should be centres that help them teach technology. Kiran Bedi suggests that schools and colleges that shut at 3pm should start evening education for women.

In villages, the panchayats and that rural development officers can help.

5:45 pm: Anjum Chopra on Sports and women

The former captain of women's cricket team, she said that women should participate more in sports. She says that women should be encouraged in sports and family should support too. The perspective of women in sports should change.

Shuma Saroor, ace shooter who went to the finals of the Olympics, shares her story and says that it was not easy for her to choose the game. She blames society and the way people think about women. She also highlights that financial independence is necessary for women who have to chase their dreams.

It is also important to manage the financial independence, says Kiran Bedi.

5:55 pm: Modi arrives at 'Chai pe charcha' in Delhi and people will ask him questions about various issues.

6:01 pm: I greet all women on International Women's Day today. Let us discuss about the dreams and the realities of women. I am thankful to technology that I am able to speak to lakhs of sisters across the country. If these sisters are determined that they would take care of India's destiny, all vote banks would fail.

Please register yourself for voting tomorrow on 9th March when the Election Commission has organised a voters' registration.

6:07 pm: Women have been contributing across ages in nation building. However, discrimination is something that is eating away the plinth of the country. First we have to change the way we look at women. Women should be free not to compromise on certain things like birth, education, marriage, family planning, career. She should have the freedom to life.

6:10 pm: Women are behind by 20% in terms of literacy visa vie men. Mahatma Gandhi had said that if a man studies, an individual studies, but if a woman studies, 2 families study and generations study. Gujarat was in a very bad state when I became the Chief Minister. But now on June 13,14, 15, me and my cabinet go to villages and request them to send their women to school. I have been doing this since 12 years.

Education is one, but providing basic facilities like toilets is also important. Education has to be viral; only policies are not enough, facilities are important too.

Quality of staff in schools is also important.

6:23 pm: There should be separate facilities for women everywhere-from police stations to schools. The Centre has set up Rs 1000 crore for the Nirbhaya fund and has added money to it, but as far as I know not a single penny has been spent for women.

6:28 pm: On questions on women as constables in the forest department in Gir, Modi said that women power can do anything. I felicitated a girl constable who saved 800 animals from difficult situations. People feel pride in seeing these women working amongst Lions.

6:34 pm: Financial independence is very important for women empowerment. They should also be held a shareholder in the country's GDP. From marketing to providing facilities, women empowerment is incomplete without them.

They should be connected to technological upgradation. It is observed that women are quick at adopting technology better than men.

6:40 pm: The fear of police can be eradicated only when they are a part of the system. Police should be enlightened on public services. We have started a police university-Raksha Shakti University- so that they know what are their responsibilities, get an insight into police services and not just train physically.

Moreover, police stations should have more women constables so that women do not feel insecured if they have to go to the police station.

6:44 pm: On questions about step for Mahila gruha Udyog, Modi said that good raw material, packaging and cost-effectiveness are some of the important measures that have to be taken.

We have to focus on Organic packaging since its demand is high because of purity.

Finances and banking are also happy with women as they have no complaints over repayments. However, improvements have to be made.

Modi to visit Sambalpur on March 14

6:54 pm: Basic facilities should be provided to women for their empowerment.

6:58 pm: On sports and infrastructure for disabled women, Modi said that the Centre's psyche toward sports is not right. This idea has to be changed. I have thought of organised ways to encourage sports by opening sports school in every district. Mapping of sports is important. He speaks of Khel Mahakumbh and Sports University and how they can join hands with private companies to develop the field.

Reiterating Kiran Bedi's idea of women empowerment, Modi said that women in sports should be encouraged by family members before and after marriage.

7:11 pm: Modi said that Gujarat is the only state where animals are operated for cataract.

On suggestion of adventure tourism, Modi said that this form of sports helps in the personality development of youth, which can bring down the suicidal tendency of the youth.

7:18 pm: All the gifts I get as CM are given to Government treasury and the auction is done. Proceeds go to girl child education, Modi said.

Kiran Bedi suggests that there should be a National Crime Prevention Plan. Students' Police service and Students' Cadet Service are some of the other parts of the National Crime Prevention Plan. She also says that a school for political governance for children interested in joining politics should be there.

7:41 pm: Women have proved their abilities in governance. Reformations have been observed and there have been considerable changes in the society. Women should become an integral part of decision-making process.

7:45 pm: Maternity leave for working women is as important for the empowerment of women as family is equally important for women.

7:52 pm: Modi thanks women for their suggestion and questions, which may help in the progress and development of the country. Women power is being celebrated in Indian mythology and history. So, this is not rocket science in our country.

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