Use family to end gender bias: PM Modi’s clarion call from Red Fort | India News

NEW DELHI: Stressing that respect for women is an important pillar of India’s growth and emphasising the need to extend support to the country’s ‘nari shakti’ to ensure swift progress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, made a strong pitch for “gender equality”, starting from the family, as the foundation for building “unity and solidarity” in the society.
Hitting out at patriarchal mindset, the PM expressed pain and distress over the use of abusive language for women and sought a commitment from all to ensure women are respected and do not face humiliation.

His speech was marked by an assertion on the importance of women empowerment in India’s development story as it marches forward to join the league of developed countries. A visibly emotional PM, launched an attack on the inherent patriarchal biases that become evident in the language and behaviour towards women.
“From the ramparts of Red Fort, I also want to share one of my enduring pains. It hurts me to say that we have witnessed a perversion in our day-to-day speaking and behaviour,” he said and added that there is tendency among people to casually use language and words that are insulting to women. “Can we not pledge to get rid of everything in our behaviour, culture and everyday life that humiliates and demeans women?” he asked.
Modi went on to assert that women power is going to be a huge asset in fulfilling the dreams of the nation. “I see this power and therefore I am insistent on it,” he added.
Dwelling on the issue of unity and solidarity, the PM said, “The foundations of unity can be laid in every home only if son and daughter enjoy equality. If the family seeds gender discrimination across its generations then the spirit of unity can never be woven in society. Gender equality is our first stipulation.”

He also highlighted that the joint family system is an asset. “Due to the sacrifices made by our mothers and sisters over the centuries, the ‘joint family system’ has evolved as a legacy. This is our legacy. How can we not be proud of this heritage?” he emphasised.
The PM asserted that in every walk of life, whether it is the playground or the battlefield, the ‘nari shakti’ (women power) of India is coming forward with a new strength. He said that he can foresee the manifold contribution of women in the next 25 years compared to the contribution in the 75 years of India’s journey. He called for focussing on creating more opportunities and facilities for girls. “They will take the country to a new height,” he reiterated.
“If the considerable efforts of our ‘Nari Shakti’ are added to the hard work that is required to fulfill the dreams in this ‘Amrit Kaal’, then it will take less hard work and our time limit will also be reduced. Our dreams will be more intense, vivacious and resplendent,” the PM asserted.