The most crucial aspect of any democracy, according to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is the empowerment of women from poor, backward regions and ensuring that children's rights are respected.
Individuals are the smallest and foremost units of any democracy, he said, adding that all infrastructural projects are pointless if people stay starved and destitute. He was addressing at an event in Nidhrad village in Sanand Assembly, which is a part of the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. Only when this is assured, Shah believes, can one argue that elected officials are performing their duties.
Shah, who is also a member of the Gandhinagar Municipal Council, was speaking at an event commemorating the start of a programme to offer healthful laddoos to expectant mothers.
Shah formally launched the campaign, which was begun by the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency in partnership with voluntary organisations, by handing up laddoos to some pregnant ladies in the region.
“Work on infrastructure (projects) will continue to be done. But the most important work in democracy is the empowerment of the weak, poor and backward women, and to give children their rights. Only when this is done successfully can we say that elected representatives are discharging their duties cent percent,” Shah said.
“We have to plant trees. Roads have to reach each and every village. Village ponds have to be developed, and water has to be collected in them. But these facilities have no meaning if an individual remains weak, malnourished, or becomes a victim of poverty. Because in a democracy, a person is the foremost and smallest unit,” Shah added.
On Janmashtami, Shah announced the effort, congratulating everyone on the occasion and stating that Bal Krishna is the "perfect model of a healthy child."
Pregnant women in the Lok Sabha constituency will receive 15 nourishing laddoos per month for a year as part of the initiative. The laddoos, which are high in ghee, protein, and vitamins, have been created in such a way that they may be preserved for a month, according to Shah.
Shah further stated that no government funds will be utilised in the effort, and that it will be administered by volunteer organisations.
“This will be a nirantar (continuous) campaign…I want to assure you that this campaign is not going to be stopped. Every pregnant mother who is poor will get these laddoos from the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency,” Shah said.
He went on to say that, even as the country celebrates the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,' the Centre is focusing on a campaign to offer nutritious meals to people under the ‘Sahi Poshan, Desh Roshan' vision.
The Union minister also urged the region's elected officials to guarantee that no qualified beneficiary from the constituency is denied the benefits of the federal and state governments' welfare programmes.
