Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the first female President of India, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing her backing for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam implementation, hailing it as a significant move to fortify India’s democratic structure.
Patil, a veteran Congress leader who held the presidential office from 2007 to 2012, commended the initiative ahead of a Parliamentary Special Session starting on April 16. The session is set to deliberate on amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, aiming to enable one-third reservation for women in Parliament.
In her letter to the Prime Minister, Patil praised the historic implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam as a crucial step towards empowering women in legislative bodies, emphasizing the importance of women’s participation in decision-making processes.
The former President highlighted that increased female representation in Parliament and State Legislatures will enrich debates, lead to more balanced policies, and inspire future generations of women to engage actively in public affairs.
Patil expressed confidence that the enactment of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will not only signal India’s commitment to gender equality but also encourage women, especially from rural areas, to pursue leadership roles for national development.
