Union Human Resource and Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani has lauded Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and his government for their initiative to provide free education to girl students at the colleges and said that such a provision would help women in the state to become literate and empowered.
Speaking at the 'Women Empowerment Festival' organised by the state government on the occasion of International Women's Day, Irani said that Raman Singh has created history by launching such a scheme.
She said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for 'Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao' is truly being fulfilled in Chhattisgarh.
The HRD Minister emphasized on the disparity in literacy levels between males and females in the country and said that the government is committed to improve the literacy rate of the women.
Denouncing female foeticide, Irani said that although people worship goddess 'Durga' during 'Navratri', the evil of female foeticide is still present in the society. She said that social awareness is needed to put an end to exploitation and suffering of women.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Raman Singh said that women of Chhattisgarh with proper education are marching ahead on the development path. He said the state has witnessed eight percent growth in women literacy in the past decade, which is historic.
The HRD Minister also released a Digital Atlas on girl's education published by UNICEF at the event. She also released two books on legal education and financial education published by National Literacy Mission.