The Impressive TimesNew Delhi- Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday interacted with students at the ‘Yuva Manthan: Tradition and Progress’ programme organised as part of Maitreyi College’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Speaking about women’s safety, the Chief Minister said the government was strengthening security arrangements on the ground to provide the daughters of Delhi with a safe environment where they can move forward without fear. She said 50,000 CCTV cameras and one lakh streetlights were being installed in Delhi to further strengthen security in public places and enable daughters to pursue their dreams without fear.
The Chief Minister said women’s safety should not mean restricting their freedom, but creating a safe society and environment where they can make decisions about their education, careers and lives with confidence. India’s women have played an important role in the country’s development by building a strong bridge between tradition and progress. Drawing inspiration from the legacy of great women such as Rani Lakshmibai and Ahilyabai Holkar, today’s daughters are scaling new heights in education, science, technology, leadership and innovation. Director of DU Campus of Open Learning Prof. Payal Moga, Maitreyi College Principal Prof. Haritma Chopra, Dr Jagruti Kaur, Dr Anita, Students’ Union representative Drishti, along with teachers, students and other dignitaries, were present on the occasion.
Women do everything for everyone, but must also learn to live for themselves
Interacting with the students, the Chief Minister said women often give priority to their responsibilities towards their families and society, but from a young age, daughters should also learn to live for themselves, take care of themselves, choose their careers and pursue their dreams. She urged the students to set goals in life and move towards them with confidence. Today’s daughters have immense talent, energy and leadership potential, and they should never allow their voice or identity to be suppressed.
No restrictions on daughters’ freedom; a change in society’s mindset is needed
Speaking about women’s safety, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the solution to women’s safety cannot simply be to tell daughters what to wear, where to go or when to return home. When daughters are given several ‘do’s and don’ts’ in the name of safety, boys must also be taught, with equal seriousness, about respect, responsibility, behaviour and consent. Society must be such that no daughter has to compromise on her dreams, education, career or freedom for her safety. A ‘no’ means ‘no’, and respecting it is everyone’s responsibility.
Daughters’ voices must not be silenced
The Chief Minister said that when a daughter raises her voice against injustice, insecurity or inappropriate behaviour, it is the responsibility of society as a whole to listen to her and stand by her, rather than silence her. At times, girls hesitate to speak up because of institutional or social pressure. Families, educational institutions, society, the administration, police and the government must work together to create an environment where daughters can speak fearlessly and their complaints are taken seriously. As a woman, a mother and the Chief Minister, she stands with the daughters of Delhi. The government is committed to taking necessary steps on any issue concerning their safety, dignity and rights.
The responsibility of a safe Delhi belongs to everyone, not just daughters
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said women’s safety is a shared social responsibility. The police must fulfil their responsibilities, the administration must ensure the necessary basic facilities for safe public spaces, and institutions must continuously work towards providing a safe environment for students. Merely framing rules for women’s safety is not enough; their effective implementation on the ground is equally important. Every individual in society must understand their responsibilities along with their rights. Women’s freedom and safety cannot be viewed as being in conflict with each other.
Assurance of support for Maitreyi College’s development
Highlighting the need for better facilities at Maitreyi College, the Chief Minister said the college should have a modern and well-equipped auditorium to provide students with a better platform for various cultural, academic and creative activities. Such institutions are not merely centres that provide degrees, but important platforms that shape young leadership, ideas and innovation. Concluding the interaction, the Chief Minister extended her wishes to the entire Maitreyi College family on its Diamond Jubilee year and said that today’s daughters, who are drawing inspiration from tradition while moving towards progress, are the strong foundation of a developed India and a developed Delhi.
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