Sidhu lauds gritty BSF eves

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 8

Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today visited the Indo-Pak border fence to celebrate the International Women’s Day with bravehearts guarding the borders.

The minister went to the fence at Pul Moran border outpost to interact with BSF women soldiers. He was welcomed by JS Oberoi, DIG, BSF.

Sidhu lauded the BSF women constables, who had shot dead Pakistani drug smugglers in the past, saying they were capable enough for combat duties. Sidhu said: “My sister Simran was in Amritsar some time back and she told me that seeing two BSF girls leading the retreat ceremony was the finest memory of her visit. So I decided to meet these brave girls and salute them on their day. Being here gives me great satisfaction and I am inspired by the courage of these girls.”

Terming them perfect role models, Sidhu said: “These girls are the pride of the nation. On the International Women’s Day, I salute them for their commitment towards ensuring that our borders are safe. They are capable enough to give a strong reply to any mischief by enemy at the border. They are the finest example of women empowerment.”

Sidhu said these bravehearts came from all over the country and face tough conditions to serve the nation. “They could have chosen any career, but these girls chose the toughest one. They are our pride and we must take inspiration from them,” he said.

The women constables appreciated the minister’s gesture and said it felt great when someone motivated them for their work.

State gets ‘Nari Shakti Puraskar’

Chandigarh: President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday presented the National “Nari Shakti Puraskar” to Punjab for making outstanding contribution towards women empowerment at a function in New Delhi specially organised on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Social Security and Women and Child Development Minister Razia Sultana received the award. Razia Sultana said the state won the award for its consistent efforts and work demonstrating improvement in sex ratio at birth under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme. Tarn Taran district has been selected among the best 10 districts of the country where sex ratio at birth has improved remarkably in a limited span of time. TNS

PM honours ex-DC under Beti Bachao

Chandigarh: Director, Industries & Commerce, Punjab, DPS Kharbanda, who served as Deputy Commissioner in Tarn Taran in 2017, was awarded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan on Thursday for taking effective steps to increase the sex ratio in the district. The sex ratio of the district in his tenure increased from 880 to 899. During his stint as district magistrate, the Tarn Taran district achieved the distinction of entering the list of first 10 districts of the total 707 districts in the country that excelled in the Centre’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme. Ten district magistrates were awarded on International Women’s Day by the Prime Minister. TNS