Patna rolls out red carpet for women on their day

PATNA: The city rolled out the red carpet on

International Women’s Day

with felicitation events, seminars, free entry to parks, and the zoo as well as shopping discounts for women.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar and other dignitaries extended their greetings. “The state government has constantly worked for women empowerment in Bihar. Today, women are playing an important role in the progress of the state. We should all pledge for the progressive development of women so that they can get a better and safer environment with social and economic development (sic),” the CM wrote on his Twitter account.

From free access to the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park (Patna zoo) and parks across the state to felicitation by government departments and various associations to mark the occasion, women appreciated the gestures.

“After a long time, we went to the zoo and enjoyed it a lot. It is good that the state government provide free entry of women at parks and zoo on this occasion,” said Nutan Singh of Patna Women’s College, who enjoyed the day with her friends.

Patna zoo director, Satyajeet Kumar, told this newspaper that the total footfall was 6,552 including 3,700 female. Eco Park, Budha Smriti Park, Veer Kunwer Singh Park and SKPuri Park among other prominent parks in the city drew a huge crowd.

Another student Jyoti Kumari of JD Women’s College said entry in other places such as museums and architectural sites should also be made free for woman visitors on this day.

The transport department felicitated its women staffers besides, minister Sheela Kumari, secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal and transport commissioner Seema Tripathi honoured some women for safe driving.

The Patna Municipal Corporation also felicitated its female sanitation workers and other staff and distributed sanitary napkins among girls in slum areas in association with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Addressing a programme at the water resources department on the occasion, minister Sanjay Kumar Jha said CM Nitish Kumar has shown special attention towards the empowerment of women in Bihar. “He empowered women by giving reservation to women first in Panchayati Raj and then in government jobs. From the birth of girl child till their higher education, the state government provide incentives to pave way for them,” he said.


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