PANKAJ KHAJURIA

JAMMU,On International Women’s Day, to commemorate women’s socioeconomic, political and cultural achievements, Greater Jammu brings forth  the inspiring stories of five daughters of the soil who have not only achieved tremendous success in their respective fields but also empowered the women folk thus playing a pivotal role to transform Jammu Kashmir.

Avny Lavasa, DC Jammu

“Women’s Day is not a women oriented day but also need to include men into Women empowerment as it is not a fight but a mutual understanding for whole society’s welfare.”

I like those ladies who take up the issues in front of me and especially those who belong to rural Jammu. It shows that they are very concerned about the issues of their people as well as justice. Sarpanch Geeta Devi and Sarpanch Balbeer Kour of respective Panchayats of Pallanwalan and Treva admired me most.

Every problem has solution but one should be flexible as well as accommodative. My 10 years of administrative experience suggest that Women’s perspective must be included in every decision making as they have different perspectives to solve the problems.

Confident word is just an intangible thing in a discussion but females need to be financially secured.

I have laid special focus on spreading awareness among women for women centric schemes.

I take ‘daughter of the soil’ words for me as a compliment and express my gratitude towards the people of Jammu to accept my people’s welfare work by assuring that I will keep trying hard to work for people’s welfare.

Dr Ritu Singh, Chairperson FICCI FLO

I am influenced by my Nanaji and NaniJi as Nana was Chief of the Army Staff and my Nanaji raised Army Wives Welfare Association. My parents used to take me to visit at less privileged places on birthday. I think it helped me to inspire to work for the society.

When I came to Jammu after my marriage I set up Delhi Public School in Jammu as I think transformation starts from Young minds to make them responsible citizens.

I was also inspired by Maharaja Hari Singh Ji who was my Grand father in law and worked a lot for the upliftment of the women’s status including banning of Sati Pratha and compulsory education for girls.

To empower the business women of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, I brought FICCI FLO chapter in Jammu and Kashmir as it was already run in 18 states. I have seen the transformation within the women of Jammu Kashmir as it helps to connect urban as well as rural women bringing them on a single platform which further helps to grow their economy. Bhumika, Vridhi and other initiatives in Bhalwal and Reasi block have been empowering women literally as well as financially.

Dr Annisa Nabi, State Taxes Officer

“ I am posted as a State Taxes Officer but inspired by my Husband who is a fitness freak.”

I have faced some issues with my fitness then I realized how important it is to remain fit. Women have to play multiple roles at home, office, with children and other multifarious responsibilities and only fit woman can play all roles in a positive way.

Later I decided to spread fitness awareness to bring a major transformation among women and in the year 2021 I have started ‘Wonders Women’ a community initiative for women fitness with 6 women in numbers and today we have 90 women members.

Rupali Slathia, BCCI Coach and JKCA Advisory Committee Member

After the World cup 2003, I had decided to join the women cricket and luckily my parents supported me in my decision.”

Under my captaincy J&K women cricket team won the maiden title of North Zone.

There is a lot of transformation done and witnessed for women cricket in Jammu Kashmir.

Being advisory member of JKCA, I suggest the maximum play hours  for girls on ground among different teams. And I am happy to mention that it helps the women cricket of Jammu and Kashmir as a result of which senior women team qualified in a national competition.

One can easily feel and observe the major transformation as a result of which today women’s cricket is at at par with that of boys with women practicing with at least SG brand ball which was not possible in earlier days.

Sonali Dogra, Singer

The most versatile and dynamic artist from Jammu as a singer who represents Jammu and Kashmir across the world says, “ I have no family background of singers. But during school days, teachers suggested my mother to make me singer as I am blessed by beautiful voice.” In the year 2008 I was selected for Voice of India content and this was the turning point of my career.

Earlier nobody took me seriously. I attended the singing classes. I have worked hard to polish the God gifted voice followed by singing in Kashmiri, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati and Marathi languages as well as Mashup. I also sang in Japan during an exclusively Kashmiri songs event.

I also worked hard to learn mother tongue Dogri and radio played an important role in this.

The major change I have seen when the Social Welfare Department made me brand ambassador of ‘Beti Bachaoo Beti Padaoo’ for which the song was sung by me in Dogri.

Today in 2023 I can say that there is major transformation visible in the society with people saying, ‘Sonali Ji hum apni beti ko tumhari tarah’ Singer banana chahte hain.’

I think it was not possible for any girl during my early days of life.

Youtube Link https://youtu.be/XYfiT6pBTu8