News Analysis India

Tag: women

  • PM Modi says political parties afraid, trembling due to passage of women’s reservation bill

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: While giving credit to ‘women power’ for the passage of the women’s reservation bill, named ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,’ at the special session of Parliament earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Varanasi on Saturday that the bill would give new energy, direction and impetus to women-led development in the country.

    The PM, during his day-long visit to his parliamentary constituency on Saturday, also laid the foundation of an international cricket stadium in the presence of veteran cricketing stars and BCCI office bearers besides inaugurating 16 Atal Residential Schools (ARS) for deprived and orphaned children. While addressing a gathering of women during his 42nd visit to Kashi during the last nine years, the PM acknowledged the power of women leaders in every period and epoch.

    “The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which had been pending for three decades, has become a reality today. Just because of your strength, even those political parties, which were diagonally opposite to it, had to support it in both Houses of Parliament,” Modi said.

    Giving credit to the women of the country, Modi said, “As you, the mothers and sisters, have become aware and united, all the political parties of India are afraid and are trembling and that is why this bill was passed — this is your strength.”

    He took a veiled jibe at parties which had opposed the renaming of the bill. “However, certain quarters have objection to the word “Vandan” in the bill. Who would be respected and worshipped if our mother and daughters would not be?” wondered the PM.

    The PM was given a rousing welcome with women showering flower petals on him as a gesture of gratitude for the passage of the women’s reservation bill. Addressing the gathering at the ground of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Kashi, the PM said “The leadership of women may be a modern system for the rest of the world, but we are the people who have been recognising it since times immemorial and worship Mother Parvati and Maa Ganga before Mahadev.” Accompanied by UP CM Yogi Adityanath, the PM hailed the valour and strength of Rani Lakshmibai and Ahilyabai Holkar among others.

    ALSO READ | ‘Only stable govt takes strong steps’: PM Modi

    “From Rani Lakshmi Bai and her freedom struggle to the accomplishment of Mission Chandrayaan in modern India — we have proved the power of women’s leadership in every period,” said the PM.

    “Kashi is the holy city of Mother Kushmanda, Mother Shringar Gauri, Mother Annapurna and Mother Ganga. The glory of their power is attached to every part of this place. Hence, after the passage of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, I came to Kashi first to seek your blessings,” he said.

    Earlier, the PM, flanked by UP CM Yogi Adityanath and veteran cricketing stars including Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) chairman Roger Binny, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri, Dilip Vengsarkar, Gundappa Vishwanath, Madan Lal, Karsan Ghavri, BCCI secretary Jay Shah and vice-chairman Rajeev Shukla, pressed the button to lay the foundation of an International Cricket Stadium worth Rs 451 crore.

    With a design based on the attributes of Lord Shiva, it would be the first sport facility in UP to be built with the assistance of the BCCI which will invest Rs 330 crore in the project, while the rest would be shared by the UP government. While laying the foundation, the PM said that the International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi’s Ganjari would not only benefit sportspersons, but also boost the economy of eastern UP (Purvanchal). He exuded confidence that the stadium would be a powerful emblem of India’s promising future.

    The PM concluded his day-long visit to Kashi by inaugurating 16 Atal Residential Schools (ARS) including one built in Varanasi’s Karsara locality. Dedicating the schools, built at a cost of Rs 1115 crore across all the 18 divisions of the state, to the children coming from lower strata of society and those who lost their parents during pandemic, the PM said that gradually his dream of development blended with the conservation of heritage was coming true. He hoped that the ARS would nurture India’s future torch bearers who would not only be erudite but also excel in other activities.

    LUCKNOW: While giving credit to ‘women power’ for the passage of the women’s reservation bill, named ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,’ at the special session of Parliament earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Varanasi on Saturday that the bill would give new energy, direction and impetus to women-led development in the country.

    The PM, during his day-long visit to his parliamentary constituency on Saturday, also laid the foundation of an international cricket stadium in the presence of veteran cricketing stars and BCCI office bearers besides inaugurating 16 Atal Residential Schools (ARS) for deprived and orphaned children. While addressing a gathering of women during his 42nd visit to Kashi during the last nine years, the PM acknowledged the power of women leaders in every period and epoch.

    “The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which had been pending for three decades, has become a reality today. Just because of your strength, even those political parties, which were diagonally opposite to it, had to support it in both Houses of Parliament,” Modi said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Giving credit to the women of the country, Modi said, “As you, the mothers and sisters, have become aware and united, all the political parties of India are afraid and are trembling and that is why this bill was passed — this is your strength.”

    He took a veiled jibe at parties which had opposed the renaming of the bill. “However, certain quarters have objection to the word “Vandan” in the bill. Who would be respected and worshipped if our mother and daughters would not be?” wondered the PM.

    The PM was given a rousing welcome with women showering flower petals on him as a gesture of gratitude for the passage of the women’s reservation bill. Addressing the gathering at the ground of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Kashi, the PM said “The leadership of women may be a modern system for the rest of the world, but we are the people who have been recognising it since times immemorial and worship Mother Parvati and Maa Ganga before Mahadev.” Accompanied by UP CM Yogi Adityanath, the PM hailed the valour and strength of Rani Lakshmibai and Ahilyabai Holkar among others.

    ALSO READ | ‘Only stable govt takes strong steps’: PM Modi

    “From Rani Lakshmi Bai and her freedom struggle to the accomplishment of Mission Chandrayaan in modern India — we have proved the power of women’s leadership in every period,” said the PM.

    “Kashi is the holy city of Mother Kushmanda, Mother Shringar Gauri, Mother Annapurna and Mother Ganga. The glory of their power is attached to every part of this place. Hence, after the passage of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, I came to Kashi first to seek your blessings,” he said.

    Earlier, the PM, flanked by UP CM Yogi Adityanath and veteran cricketing stars including Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) chairman Roger Binny, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri, Dilip Vengsarkar, Gundappa Vishwanath, Madan Lal, Karsan Ghavri, BCCI secretary Jay Shah and vice-chairman Rajeev Shukla, pressed the button to lay the foundation of an International Cricket Stadium worth Rs 451 crore.

    With a design based on the attributes of Lord Shiva, it would be the first sport facility in UP to be built with the assistance of the BCCI which will invest Rs 330 crore in the project, while the rest would be shared by the UP government. While laying the foundation, the PM said that the International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi’s Ganjari would not only benefit sportspersons, but also boost the economy of eastern UP (Purvanchal). He exuded confidence that the stadium would be a powerful emblem of India’s promising future.

    The PM concluded his day-long visit to Kashi by inaugurating 16 Atal Residential Schools (ARS) including one built in Varanasi’s Karsara locality. Dedicating the schools, built at a cost of Rs 1115 crore across all the 18 divisions of the state, to the children coming from lower strata of society and those who lost their parents during pandemic, the PM said that gradually his dream of development blended with the conservation of heritage was coming true. He hoped that the ARS would nurture India’s future torch bearers who would not only be erudite but also excel in other activities.

  • More women dying of cancer compared to men: Study

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: More women are dying of cancer as compared to men in the last 19 years in India, the latest study has found.

    The first national-level cancer mortality study found that the cancer mortality trend in India has dipped by 0.19% annually among men but has increased by 0.25% among women, indicating an increase of 0.02% among both sexes.

    The analysis of mortality trends of 23 major cancers in the Indian population, which killed 12.85 million Indians between 2000 and 2019, found that the highest annual increase in mortality was observed in pancreatic cancer among both sexes at 2.7% (2.1% among men and 3.7% in women).

    The study, conducted by Amrita Hospital, Kochi, in collaboration with the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health Organisation (WHO), was published in JCO Global Oncology, a journal affiliated with the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

    The study found increasing mortality trends among cancers of the lung, breast, colorectum, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney, and mesothelioma between 2000 and 2019. 

    However, the stomach, oesophagus, leukaemia, larynx, and melanoma cancers showed a declining cancer mortality trend irrespective of sex.

    The cancer mortality was high among men than women for all common cancers except thyroid (0.6) and gallbladder (0.6) cancers. 

    Larynx cancer had almost a six-fold high mortality among men than women, followed by lung (2.9), melanoma (2.5), urinary bladder (2.3), mouth and oropharynx (2.2), and liver (1.9), while stomach and colorectal cancer mortality was relatively similar among both sexes.

    The most common lethal cancers were mouth and oropharyngeal (15.6%), stomach (10.6%), lung (9.6%), breast (9%), and colorectal (8%) cancers.

    Female cancers of the cervix, corpus uteri, ovary, and breast contributed to 17.6% of deaths, while male cancers of the prostate and testis contributed to only 3.7%, the study said.

    “This estimation-based study might be a substitute for constructing precise and efficient health care infrastructure to acquire better cancer control programs in India in the absence of a national cancer registry or countrywide cancer mortality data,” Ajil Shaji, Head of Cancer Registry at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, and one of the authors, said.

    Dr Vijaykumar DK, Head of Dept. Breast and Gynec Oncology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, said: “We wanted to investigate how the number of cancer-related fatalities has changed in India over the past two decades. The study has shown that the cancer mortality trend among men in India has shown a slight yet statistically significant decrease over time.” 

    “In contrast, the increase in cancer mortality among women and both sexes combined has been minor and not statistically significant. Among all common malignancies, women had a higher rate of gallbladder and thyroid cancer mortality than men; meanwhile, a yearly significant increase of pancreatic cancer mortality was seen among both sexes, with a higher increase in women.”

    Dr Pavithran K, Head of Dept. Medical Oncology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, said: ‘The study highlights the need for a multi-pronged approach to address the rising cancer mortality rates in India, including awareness on cancer symptoms, cancer prevention policies, improved health infrastructure, and specifically dedicated human resources.”

    A multi-faceted strategy is required to tackle India’s rising cancer mortality rates.

    “Lack of knowledge about cancer symptoms delays treatment for preventable cancers. We need better infrastructure, dedicated human resources, and expanded cancer screening programs. The best long-term strategy could be implementing awareness of cancer symptoms among the population and cancer prevention policies with improved health infrastructure and specifically dedicated resources,” he said.

    Globally, cancer is the second most lethal non-communicable disease after cardiovascular disease, accounting for about 9.9 million deaths in 2020. 

    Around 9% of all cancer deaths occurred in the Indian population. 

    While cancers of the lung, breast, colorectum, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney, ovary, and mesothelioma showed substantial increases in mortality in India, the cancers of the stomach, oesophagus, leukaemia, larynx, liver, brain, testis, prostate, cervix, corpus uteri, and melanoma decreased over time.

    “In India, more than 70% of cases of cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages because of decreased cancer awareness and lack of organized breast, oral, or cervical cancer screening programs. This fact explains the high cancer mortality rate,” the study said.

    It added that prevention through screening and awareness could reduce the burden of preventable cancers worldwide and in India since more than 30% of cancer deaths are due to modifiable risk factors, including tobacco and alcohol use.

    NEW DELHI: More women are dying of cancer as compared to men in the last 19 years in India, the latest study has found.

    The first national-level cancer mortality study found that the cancer mortality trend in India has dipped by 0.19% annually among men but has increased by 0.25% among women, indicating an increase of 0.02% among both sexes.

    The analysis of mortality trends of 23 major cancers in the Indian population, which killed 12.85 million Indians between 2000 and 2019, found that the highest annual increase in mortality was observed in pancreatic cancer among both sexes at 2.7% (2.1% among men and 3.7% in women).googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The study, conducted by Amrita Hospital, Kochi, in collaboration with the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health Organisation (WHO), was published in JCO Global Oncology, a journal affiliated with the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

    The study found increasing mortality trends among cancers of the lung, breast, colorectum, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney, and mesothelioma between 2000 and 2019. 

    However, the stomach, oesophagus, leukaemia, larynx, and melanoma cancers showed a declining cancer mortality trend irrespective of sex.

    The cancer mortality was high among men than women for all common cancers except thyroid (0.6) and gallbladder (0.6) cancers. 

    Larynx cancer had almost a six-fold high mortality among men than women, followed by lung (2.9), melanoma (2.5), urinary bladder (2.3), mouth and oropharynx (2.2), and liver (1.9), while stomach and colorectal cancer mortality was relatively similar among both sexes.

    The most common lethal cancers were mouth and oropharyngeal (15.6%), stomach (10.6%), lung (9.6%), breast (9%), and colorectal (8%) cancers.

    Female cancers of the cervix, corpus uteri, ovary, and breast contributed to 17.6% of deaths, while male cancers of the prostate and testis contributed to only 3.7%, the study said.

    “This estimation-based study might be a substitute for constructing precise and efficient health care infrastructure to acquire better cancer control programs in India in the absence of a national cancer registry or countrywide cancer mortality data,” Ajil Shaji, Head of Cancer Registry at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, and one of the authors, said.

    Dr Vijaykumar DK, Head of Dept. Breast and Gynec Oncology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, said: “We wanted to investigate how the number of cancer-related fatalities has changed in India over the past two decades. The study has shown that the cancer mortality trend among men in India has shown a slight yet statistically significant decrease over time.” 

    “In contrast, the increase in cancer mortality among women and both sexes combined has been minor and not statistically significant. Among all common malignancies, women had a higher rate of gallbladder and thyroid cancer mortality than men; meanwhile, a yearly significant increase of pancreatic cancer mortality was seen among both sexes, with a higher increase in women.”

    Dr Pavithran K, Head of Dept. Medical Oncology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, said: ‘The study highlights the need for a multi-pronged approach to address the rising cancer mortality rates in India, including awareness on cancer symptoms, cancer prevention policies, improved health infrastructure, and specifically dedicated human resources.”

    A multi-faceted strategy is required to tackle India’s rising cancer mortality rates.

    “Lack of knowledge about cancer symptoms delays treatment for preventable cancers. We need better infrastructure, dedicated human resources, and expanded cancer screening programs. The best long-term strategy could be implementing awareness of cancer symptoms among the population and cancer prevention policies with improved health infrastructure and specifically dedicated resources,” he said.

    Globally, cancer is the second most lethal non-communicable disease after cardiovascular disease, accounting for about 9.9 million deaths in 2020. 

    Around 9% of all cancer deaths occurred in the Indian population. 

    While cancers of the lung, breast, colorectum, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney, ovary, and mesothelioma showed substantial increases in mortality in India, the cancers of the stomach, oesophagus, leukaemia, larynx, liver, brain, testis, prostate, cervix, corpus uteri, and melanoma decreased over time.

    “In India, more than 70% of cases of cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages because of decreased cancer awareness and lack of organized breast, oral, or cervical cancer screening programs. This fact explains the high cancer mortality rate,” the study said.

    It added that prevention through screening and awareness could reduce the burden of preventable cancers worldwide and in India since more than 30% of cancer deaths are due to modifiable risk factors, including tobacco and alcohol use.

  • Cricketing talent of Rajasthan farmer’s daughter take social media by storm

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR: Videos that go viral on social media can often transform the lives of ordinary people. This has come especially true in the case of a teenage girl in Rajasthan’s Barmer district who was seen playing cricket. The video shows the teenager hitting powerful shots exactly on the day when the Women’s Premier League auction was held.

    The video caught the attention of Sachin Tendulkar and soon went viral on Twitter and Instagram. This stroke of luck has not only helped the daughter of a poor farmer in Kanasar village of Barmer to hit the headlines but also helped the teenager to get full cricket gear donated by the BJP president in Rajasthan. It’s a remarkable turnaround for the girl who was seen playing cricket on the sand dunes of the desert district even without any shoes.

    In the video that went viral on social media, 14-year-old Mumal Mehar, was seen hitting fours and sixes. Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar tweeted on Tuesday about the viral video. In his tweet, while sharing the video of Kanasar’s student, Tendulkar wrote that “the auction happened only yesterday and today the match has also started? What’s the matter, really enjoy your batting.” It is noteworthy that the Women’s Premier League auction took place on Monday itself.

    A schoolgirl from Kanasar of Shiv subdivision of Barmer,14-year-old Mumal who is seen hitting powerful shots in the viral video, is a class VIII student. She’s the daughter of a farmer. Though there is not even a shoe on her feet while playing cricket, from her game it seems that the girl would make it big on the cricket field in the near future.

    Fortunately, the village girl has an Instagram account where the video of her hitting fours and sixes leaves users stunned. The video is now being extensively shared on social media and liked by hundreds of users.

    One gathers that Roshan Khan, Mumal’s school teacher, is also her coach. He makes her practice cricket every day. Seeing her talent and devotion to cricket, he has been giving the girl regular coaching lessons in the village where she often plays cricket with boys. Moomal admires Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav’s batting and likes to play big shots like him. She has shown her talent in cricket even in the Rural Olympic Games organised in Rajasthan a few months ago by the state government.

    Besides a lot of appreciation and congratulatory messages, her viral video has also helped Moomal get a proper cricket kit. BJP state president Satish Poonia has sent a cricket kit for Moomal. He has given best wishes in a tweet while encouraging Moomal to move forward in cricket.

    Expressing her wish, Mumal had shared a post on social media, in which she wrote that he wanted a cricket kit. When her appeal was spotted by the BJP State President Poonia, he quickly sent a kit for Moomal. Poonia even took to Twitter and said that after watching Mumal’s video, he had sent a cricket kit and also talked to her. Poonia even shared a video of this exchange on his social media account where Moomal looks very happy after getting the cricket kit.

    Clearly, despite the “negativity” that social media is often blamed for fuelling, it also helps people in multiple ways. Moomal Mehar will agree. 

    ALSO WATCH |

    JAIPUR: Videos that go viral on social media can often transform the lives of ordinary people. This has come especially true in the case of a teenage girl in Rajasthan’s Barmer district who was seen playing cricket. The video shows the teenager hitting powerful shots exactly on the day when the Women’s Premier League auction was held.

    The video caught the attention of Sachin Tendulkar and soon went viral on Twitter and Instagram. This stroke of luck has not only helped the daughter of a poor farmer in Kanasar village of Barmer to hit the headlines but also helped the teenager to get full cricket gear donated by the BJP president in Rajasthan. It’s a remarkable turnaround for the girl who was seen playing cricket on the sand dunes of the desert district even without any shoes.

    In the video that went viral on social media, 14-year-old Mumal Mehar, was seen hitting fours and sixes. Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar tweeted on Tuesday about the viral video. In his tweet, while sharing the video of Kanasar’s student, Tendulkar wrote that “the auction happened only yesterday and today the match has also started? What’s the matter, really enjoy your batting.” It is noteworthy that the Women’s Premier League auction took place on Monday itself.

    A schoolgirl from Kanasar of Shiv subdivision of Barmer,14-year-old Mumal who is seen hitting powerful shots in the viral video, is a class VIII student. She’s the daughter of a farmer. Though there is not even a shoe on her feet while playing cricket, from her game it seems that the girl would make it big on the cricket field in the near future.

    Fortunately, the village girl has an Instagram account where the video of her hitting fours and sixes leaves users stunned. The video is now being extensively shared on social media and liked by hundreds of users.

    One gathers that Roshan Khan, Mumal’s school teacher, is also her coach. He makes her practice cricket every day. Seeing her talent and devotion to cricket, he has been giving the girl regular coaching lessons in the village where she often plays cricket with boys. Moomal admires Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav’s batting and likes to play big shots like him. She has shown her talent in cricket even in the Rural Olympic Games organised in Rajasthan a few months ago by the state government.

    Besides a lot of appreciation and congratulatory messages, her viral video has also helped Moomal get a proper cricket kit. BJP state president Satish Poonia has sent a cricket kit for Moomal. He has given best wishes in a tweet while encouraging Moomal to move forward in cricket.

    Expressing her wish, Mumal had shared a post on social media, in which she wrote that he wanted a cricket kit. When her appeal was spotted by the BJP State President Poonia, he quickly sent a kit for Moomal. Poonia even took to Twitter and said that after watching Mumal’s video, he had sent a cricket kit and also talked to her. Poonia even shared a video of this exchange on his social media account where Moomal looks very happy after getting the cricket kit.

    Clearly, despite the “negativity” that social media is often blamed for fuelling, it also helps people in multiple ways. Moomal Mehar will agree. 

    ALSO WATCH |

  • BSF women personnel to be part of camel contingent for Republic Day Parade 

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: For the first time a dozen women camel riders will be participating as part of the famed camel contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) during the Republic Day Parade on January 26.

    The BSF on Monday said, “This is the first time BSF Mahila Camel Riders as part of BSF Camel Contingent will march on Kartavya Path during the Republic Day Parade.”

    Marching atop the camels, these women camel riders will be donning specially designed regal ceremonial uniforms.

    The uniforms which represent the many treasured craft forms of India have been assembled by a noted fashion designer who will have iconic Jodhpuri bandhgala, classic and elegant long tunic.

    The textured fabric with hand-crafted zardosi work for various trims from Benaras is done in the 400 years-old Danka technique, the BSF had said.

    The uniform is styled with the striking Pagh – a turban, inspired by the heritage Pagh of the Mewar region of Rajasthan.

    The BSF camel contingent has been participating in the Republic Day parade since 1976.

    The contingent usually comprises 90 camels — 54 with troops and the rest with band personnel.

    The Camel contingent is also part of the Beating the Retreat ceremony which is held three days after Republic Day on January 29.

    The BSF is the only force in the country to deploy camels for both operational and ceremonial duties.  .It is astride these camels that the bordermen, as the BSF personnel are called, patrol the Thar Desert along the borders with Pakistan.

    Out of total approx 240,000 personnel the BSF has around 8,000 women personnel including around 140 officers which include the subordinate officers also. The women, as per the sources, are deployed in all kinds of operational duties like the zero line patrolling and night observation post duties. The Force has also deployed all women floating Border Out Posts (BOPs) along the India Bangladesh borders under its water wing. The BSF also has an all women daredevil motorcycle team named Seema Bhawani.

    The BSF was raised on December 1, 1965 and it is primarily tasked with guarding international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is a unique force in the world having the elements of aviation, artillery and water wing as its assets.

    NEW DELHI: For the first time a dozen women camel riders will be participating as part of the famed camel contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) during the Republic Day Parade on January 26.

    The BSF on Monday said, “This is the first time BSF Mahila Camel Riders as part of BSF Camel Contingent will march on Kartavya Path during the Republic Day Parade.”

    Marching atop the camels, these women camel riders will be donning specially designed regal ceremonial uniforms.

    The uniforms which represent the many treasured craft forms of India have been assembled by a noted fashion designer who will have iconic Jodhpuri bandhgala, classic and elegant long tunic.

    The textured fabric with hand-crafted zardosi work for various trims from Benaras is done in the 400 years-old Danka technique, the BSF had said.

    The uniform is styled with the striking Pagh – a turban, inspired by the heritage Pagh of the Mewar region of Rajasthan.

    The BSF camel contingent has been participating in the Republic Day parade since 1976.

    The contingent usually comprises 90 camels — 54 with troops and the rest with band personnel.

    The Camel contingent is also part of the Beating the Retreat ceremony which is held three days after Republic Day on January 29.

    The BSF is the only force in the country to deploy camels for both operational and ceremonial duties.  .It is astride these camels that the bordermen, as the BSF personnel are called, patrol the Thar Desert along the borders with Pakistan.

    Out of total approx 240,000 personnel the BSF has around 8,000 women personnel including around 140 officers which include the subordinate officers also. The women, as per the sources, are deployed in all kinds of operational duties like the zero line patrolling and night observation post duties. The Force has also deployed all women floating Border Out Posts (BOPs) along the India Bangladesh borders under its water wing. The BSF also has an all women daredevil motorcycle team named Seema Bhawani.

    The BSF was raised on December 1, 1965 and it is primarily tasked with guarding international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is a unique force in the world having the elements of aviation, artillery and water wing as its assets.

  • Women officers in Indian Army to be inducted into the Artillery soon

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The biggest armed force service, Indian Army, has taken the decision to induct women into their combat stream. The preparations are in process.

    The Indian Army has taken the decision to begin the induction of women into combat arms in the near future beginning with the Regiment of Artillery. As per the Ministry of Defence, the combat employment philosophy of women in the Armed Forces is a continuously evolving process and regularly reviewed by them.

    The Regiment of Artillery is said to be the second largest arm of the Indian Army, after the infantry. Artillery with its missiles, guns, mortars, rocket launchers and unmanned aerial vehicles is also described as an ‘Arm of Decision’.

    As of now the women officers have not been granted permanent commission into Infantry, Armoured, Artillery and Mechanised Infantry.

    At present there are 1705 women officers in the Indian Army into ten Arms and Services viz. Corps of Engineers, Corps of Signals, Army Air Defence, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Army Aviation Corps, Intelligence Corps, Judge Advocate General Branch and Army Education Corps in addition to the Armed Forces Medical Services.

    The Indian Air Force pioneered in inducting the women into combat roles beginning with three women officers commissioned as the Fighter pilots in June 2016. IAF has commissioned 15 women fighter pilots till date. The women officers are now being inducted in all combat roles into the force.

    Indian Navy, from December 2022, The Indian Navy has decided to open every branch of the service, including the Submarine and Aviation, for its women officers and the Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR) from 2023 in pursuant to its gender-neutral approach.

    The Indian Navy has already deputed 28 women officers onboard ships. Women officers are also deployed in combat roles onboard naval Aircraft/ship borne helicopters.

    The total number of women serving into the Armed forces is around 10,493 as per the data shared by the Ministry of Defence in March 2022 and this includes those in the Medical, Dental and Nursing Corps.

    The chronology of women induction into the Armed Forces

    In 1958, the Army Medical Corps (AMC) granted regular commission to women.
    In 1991 the Indian Navy commenced induction of women as officers.
    In 1992, women were allowed to serve in the armed forces as Short Service Commission (SCC) officers in various supporting branches.
    In February 2020 Supreme Court gave its verdict for Permanent Commission to women. Total of 577 women officers granted Permanent Commission till November 2021.
    The first batch of Women Military Police at the Other Ranks joined Army in May 2021.
    From July 2021 women officers began training in Army Aviation.
    In August 2022 first batch of 19 women cadets reported for the tri-service National Defence Academy.
    In November 2022, 341 women Agniveers of Indian Navy joined training at INS CHilka.
    In June 2023 the first six women Army officers will attend Defence Services Staff College.
    First time 108 women officers are to soon get the rank of Colonel.
    100 women Agniveers will join the Army training from April this year.

    NEW DELHI: The biggest armed force service, Indian Army, has taken the decision to induct women into their combat stream. The preparations are in process.

    The Indian Army has taken the decision to begin the induction of women into combat arms in the near future beginning with the Regiment of Artillery. As per the Ministry of Defence, the combat employment philosophy of women in the Armed Forces is a continuously evolving process and regularly reviewed by them.

    The Regiment of Artillery is said to be the second largest arm of the Indian Army, after the infantry. Artillery with its missiles, guns, mortars, rocket launchers and unmanned aerial vehicles is also described as an ‘Arm of Decision’.

    As of now the women officers have not been granted permanent commission into Infantry, Armoured, Artillery and Mechanised Infantry.

    At present there are 1705 women officers in the Indian Army into ten Arms and Services viz. Corps of Engineers, Corps of Signals, Army Air Defence, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Army Aviation Corps, Intelligence Corps, Judge Advocate General Branch and Army Education Corps in addition to the Armed Forces Medical Services.

    The Indian Air Force pioneered in inducting the women into combat roles beginning with three women officers commissioned as the Fighter pilots in June 2016. IAF has commissioned 15 women fighter pilots till date. The women officers are now being inducted in all combat roles into the force.

    Indian Navy, from December 2022, The Indian Navy has decided to open every branch of the service, including the Submarine and Aviation, for its women officers and the Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR) from 2023 in pursuant to its gender-neutral approach.

    The Indian Navy has already deputed 28 women officers onboard ships. Women officers are also deployed in combat roles onboard naval Aircraft/ship borne helicopters.

    The total number of women serving into the Armed forces is around 10,493 as per the data shared by the Ministry of Defence in March 2022 and this includes those in the Medical, Dental and Nursing Corps.

    The chronology of women induction into the Armed Forces

    In 1958, the Army Medical Corps (AMC) granted regular commission to women.
    In 1991 the Indian Navy commenced induction of women as officers.
    In 1992, women were allowed to serve in the armed forces as Short Service Commission (SCC) officers in various supporting branches.
    In February 2020 Supreme Court gave its verdict for Permanent Commission to women. Total of 577 women officers granted Permanent Commission till November 2021.
    The first batch of Women Military Police at the Other Ranks joined Army in May 2021.
    From July 2021 women officers began training in Army Aviation.
    In August 2022 first batch of 19 women cadets reported for the tri-service National Defence Academy.
    In November 2022, 341 women Agniveers of Indian Navy joined training at INS CHilka.
    In June 2023 the first six women Army officers will attend Defence Services Staff College.
    First time 108 women officers are to soon get the rank of Colonel.
    100 women Agniveers will join the Army training from April this year.

  • In BJP ruled Uttarakhand, Assembly passes anti-conversion & women’s reservation bill

    By Express News Service

    DEHRADUN: On the second day of the supplementary budget session, two important bills were passed by voice vote in the Uttarakhand Assembly. 

    After the passage of the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2022, a provision has been made for a strict law regarding religious conversion in the state. Apart from this, the Uttarakhand Public Service (Horizontal Reservation of Women) Bill 2022 will once again implement the system of 30 percent horizontal reservation for women in the state.

    The state government had a few days ago decided to strengthen the anti-conversion law, which provided for a 10-year jail term, declaring forced conversion a cognizable offence. With the passage of these bills in the Assembly on Wednesday, a notification to implement them in the state will be issued soon.

    Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said,  “Uttarakhand is devbhoomi, things like conversion are very fatal for us, so the government had decided that strict laws should be made to ban religious conversion in the state”. He said that it is the endeavour of the state government to implement this law in the state with full determination.

    Regarding the Horizontal Reservation Bill for women in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Dhami said, “The women of the state have a huge contribution in the creation of Uttarakhand and the government had already decided that they should get the benefit of this horizontal reservation while respecting the mother-power in this state with heterogeneous geographical conditions”.

    DEHRADUN: On the second day of the supplementary budget session, two important bills were passed by voice vote in the Uttarakhand Assembly. 

    After the passage of the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2022, a provision has been made for a strict law regarding religious conversion in the state. Apart from this, the Uttarakhand Public Service (Horizontal Reservation of Women) Bill 2022 will once again implement the system of 30 percent horizontal reservation for women in the state.

    The state government had a few days ago decided to strengthen the anti-conversion law, which provided for a 10-year jail term, declaring forced conversion a cognizable offence. With the passage of these bills in the Assembly on Wednesday, a notification to implement them in the state will be issued soon.

    Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said,  “Uttarakhand is devbhoomi, things like conversion are very fatal for us, so the government had decided that strict laws should be made to ban religious conversion in the state”. He said that it is the endeavour of the state government to implement this law in the state with full determination.

    Regarding the Horizontal Reservation Bill for women in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Dhami said, “The women of the state have a huge contribution in the creation of Uttarakhand and the government had already decided that they should get the benefit of this horizontal reservation while respecting the mother-power in this state with heterogeneous geographical conditions”.

  • SC lifts HC stay on order for 30 pc quota to women having domicile of Uttarakhand

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday lifted the stay imposed by the Uttarakhand High Court on a 2006 order giving 30 percent reservation to women having domicile of the state in state civil services.

    A bench of Justices S A Nazeer and V Ramasubramanian issued notice in the matter and sought reply on the Uttarakhand government’s plea.

    The Uttarakhand government had moved the top court against the high court’s August 24, 2022 order.

    It had passed the direction while hearing a petition filed by more than a dozen women candidates from outside the state who were under the unreserved category.

    The petition said they were not allowed to appear for the state services main examination despite securing more marks than the cut-off set for domicile women of the state in the preliminary test held on April 3 this year.

    The plea submitted that the Uttarakhand government did not have the power to provide domicile-based reservation and that the Constitution only allowed reservation on the basis of domicile only by a law enacted by Parliament.

    In a statement issued in Dehradun, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “We welcome the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the interest of the women of the state.”

    Describing the state government as committed to protect the interests of the women of the state, Dhami said, “We had also made full preparations to bring an ordinance to keep women’s reservation in place and with this we have also appealed to the Supreme Court to take effective action.” After the stay of the high court, the state government had filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court to keep the women’s reservation in place.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday lifted the stay imposed by the Uttarakhand High Court on a 2006 order giving 30 percent reservation to women having domicile of the state in state civil services.

    A bench of Justices S A Nazeer and V Ramasubramanian issued notice in the matter and sought reply on the Uttarakhand government’s plea.

    The Uttarakhand government had moved the top court against the high court’s August 24, 2022 order.

    It had passed the direction while hearing a petition filed by more than a dozen women candidates from outside the state who were under the unreserved category.

    The petition said they were not allowed to appear for the state services main examination despite securing more marks than the cut-off set for domicile women of the state in the preliminary test held on April 3 this year.

    The plea submitted that the Uttarakhand government did not have the power to provide domicile-based reservation and that the Constitution only allowed reservation on the basis of domicile only by a law enacted by Parliament.

    In a statement issued in Dehradun, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “We welcome the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the interest of the women of the state.”

    Describing the state government as committed to protect the interests of the women of the state, Dhami said, “We had also made full preparations to bring an ordinance to keep women’s reservation in place and with this we have also appealed to the Supreme Court to take effective action.” After the stay of the high court, the state government had filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court to keep the women’s reservation in place.

  • SC lifts HC stay on order for 30 percent quota to women having domicile of Uttarakhand

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday lifted the stay imposed by the Uttarakhand High Court on a 2006 order giving 30 percent reservation to women having domicile of the state in state civil services.

    A bench of Justices S A Nazeer and V Ramasubramanian issued notice in the matter and sought reply on the Uttarakhand government’s plea.

    The Uttarakhand government had moved the top court against the high court’s August 24, 2022 order.

    It had passed the direction while hearing a petition filed by more than a dozen women candidates from outside the state who were under the unreserved category.

    The petition said they were not allowed to appear for the state services main examination despite securing more marks than the cut-off set for domicile women of the state in the preliminary test held on April 3 this year.

    The plea submitted that the Uttarakhand government did not have the power to provide domicile-based reservation and that the Constitution only allowed reservation on the basis of domicile only by a law enacted by Parliament.

    In a statement issued in Dehradun, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “We welcome the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the interest of the women of the state.”

    Describing the state government as committed to protect the interests of the women of the state, Dhami said, “We had also made full preparations to bring an ordinance to keep women’s reservation in place and with this we have also appealed to the Supreme Court to take effective action.” After the stay of the high court, the state government had filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court to keep the women’s reservation in place.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday lifted the stay imposed by the Uttarakhand High Court on a 2006 order giving 30 percent reservation to women having domicile of the state in state civil services.

    A bench of Justices S A Nazeer and V Ramasubramanian issued notice in the matter and sought reply on the Uttarakhand government’s plea.

    The Uttarakhand government had moved the top court against the high court’s August 24, 2022 order.

    It had passed the direction while hearing a petition filed by more than a dozen women candidates from outside the state who were under the unreserved category.

    The petition said they were not allowed to appear for the state services main examination despite securing more marks than the cut-off set for domicile women of the state in the preliminary test held on April 3 this year.

    The plea submitted that the Uttarakhand government did not have the power to provide domicile-based reservation and that the Constitution only allowed reservation on the basis of domicile only by a law enacted by Parliament.

    In a statement issued in Dehradun, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “We welcome the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the interest of the women of the state.”

    Describing the state government as committed to protect the interests of the women of the state, Dhami said, “We had also made full preparations to bring an ordinance to keep women’s reservation in place and with this we have also appealed to the Supreme Court to take effective action.” After the stay of the high court, the state government had filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court to keep the women’s reservation in place.

  • SC sends notice to Centre on plea against age restriction on women’s reproductive rights

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Centre on a plea against the age restriction of 35 years on women’s reproductive rights for conducting pre-conception and pre-natal diagnostic tests.

    A bench of Justices S K Kaul and Abhay S Oka issued notice to the Union government and others on a plea filed by an advocate contending that the age bar is a restriction on the reproductive rights of women.

    “She refers to Section 4(3)(i) of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 to contend that the age restriction of 35 years is a restriction on the reproductive rights of women and in view of the recent judgment of this Court. Issue notice restricted to the aforesaid aspect,” it said.

    ALSO READ | Married or single, all women, are entitled to safe, legal abortion, says Supreme Court

    The top court was hearing a plea filed by advocate Meera Kaura Patel who contended that the age restriction of 35 years in Section 4(3)(i) of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 is a restriction on the reproductive rights of women.

    As per the act, no pre-natal diagnostic techniques shall be used or conducted unless the age of the pregnant woman is above 35 years.

    In a significant ruling on the reproductive rights of women, the apex court had earlier held that all women are entitled to safe and legal abortion till 24 weeks of pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, and making any distinction on the basis of their marital status is “constitutionally unsustainable”.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Centre on a plea against the age restriction of 35 years on women’s reproductive rights for conducting pre-conception and pre-natal diagnostic tests.

    A bench of Justices S K Kaul and Abhay S Oka issued notice to the Union government and others on a plea filed by an advocate contending that the age bar is a restriction on the reproductive rights of women.

    “She refers to Section 4(3)(i) of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 to contend that the age restriction of 35 years is a restriction on the reproductive rights of women and in view of the recent judgment of this Court. Issue notice restricted to the aforesaid aspect,” it said.

    ALSO READ | Married or single, all women, are entitled to safe, legal abortion, says Supreme Court

    The top court was hearing a plea filed by advocate Meera Kaura Patel who contended that the age restriction of 35 years in Section 4(3)(i) of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 is a restriction on the reproductive rights of women.

    As per the act, no pre-natal diagnostic techniques shall be used or conducted unless the age of the pregnant woman is above 35 years.

    In a significant ruling on the reproductive rights of women, the apex court had earlier held that all women are entitled to safe and legal abortion till 24 weeks of pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, and making any distinction on the basis of their marital status is “constitutionally unsustainable”.

  • Unmarried women have less sex than unwed men, says survey

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Only two per cent of unmarried young adult women had sex in the last year compared to 13.4 per cent of men. Over 77 per cent of 23-24 years-old men never had sex compared to 95.3 percent of women of the same age, according to the latest findings of the NFHS-5 survey.

    The National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) also showed that more unmarried women practice safe sex than men. The survey, which studied single men and women in the age group of 15-24 years, showed that 1.3 per cent of single girls in the age group of 15-19 had sex in the last 12 months preceding the survey, compared to 4.4 per cent of men. 

    The survey, which studied over 6 lakh households in 707 districts, also showed teenage boys are sexually more active as compared to girls. While 0.9 percent of teenage girls had sex as compared to 2.9 percent of adolescent boys, it was 1.9 percent for single women, who had sexual intercourse in the past 12 months in the age group of 18-19 years, the figure stood at 6.6 per cent for single men in the same age group. 

    For unmarried women in the age group of 20-24, the percentage stood at 1.9 percent compared to 11.8 percent of single men who had sex. Similarly, 1.9 percent of women in the age group of 20-22 had sex, compared to men at 10.9 per cent.

    The survey, which also studied condom use among unmarried men and women, clearly found women went for safe sex compared to single men — whether they were in their teens or adults.  In the age group of 15-19 years, only 57 per cent of men used condoms, compared to 61.2 percent of women. 

    The usage of condoms went up slightly for men in the age group of 20-24 years. While nearly 64 percent of single men practiced safe sex, 65.3 per cent of women in the same age group used condoms. The NFHS-5, which conducted the survey in this category for the first time in India, also showed that more women were virgins compared to men in the age group of 15-24 years in India.

    Over 97 per cent of single girls in the age group of 15-17 and 15-19 were virgins, as compared to single boys, who were more active sexually in this age group. While 93.8 per cent of boys in the age group of 15-19 were virgins, the figure went up to 96.1 for boys in the age group of 15-17 years. Similarly, over 95 percent of women in the age group of 20-24 were virgins, compared to men, which stood at around 80 percent.

    NEW DELHI: Only two per cent of unmarried young adult women had sex in the last year compared to 13.4 per cent of men. Over 77 per cent of 23-24 years-old men never had sex compared to 95.3 percent of women of the same age, according to the latest findings of the NFHS-5 survey.

    The National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) also showed that more unmarried women practice safe sex than men. The survey, which studied single men and women in the age group of 15-24 years, showed that 1.3 per cent of single girls in the age group of 15-19 had sex in the last 12 months preceding the survey, compared to 4.4 per cent of men. 

    The survey, which studied over 6 lakh households in 707 districts, also showed teenage boys are sexually more active as compared to girls. While 0.9 percent of teenage girls had sex as compared to 2.9 percent of adolescent boys, it was 1.9 percent for single women, who had sexual intercourse in the past 12 months in the age group of 18-19 years, the figure stood at 6.6 per cent for single men in the same age group. 

    For unmarried women in the age group of 20-24, the percentage stood at 1.9 percent compared to 11.8 percent of single men who had sex. Similarly, 1.9 percent of women in the age group of 20-22 had sex, compared to men at 10.9 per cent.

    The survey, which also studied condom use among unmarried men and women, clearly found women went for safe sex compared to single men — whether they were in their teens or adults.  In the age group of 15-19 years, only 57 per cent of men used condoms, compared to 61.2 percent of women. 

    The usage of condoms went up slightly for men in the age group of 20-24 years. While nearly 64 percent of single men practiced safe sex, 65.3 per cent of women in the same age group used condoms. 
    The NFHS-5, which conducted the survey in this category for the first time in India, also showed that more women were virgins compared to men in the age group of 15-24 years in India.

    Over 97 per cent of single girls in the age group of 15-17 and 15-19 were virgins, as compared to single boys, who were more active sexually in this age group. While 93.8 per cent of boys in the age group of 15-19 were virgins, the figure went up to 96.1 for boys in the age group of 15-17 years. Similarly, over 95 percent of women in the age group of 20-24 were virgins, compared to men, which stood at around 80 percent.