Team Goemkarponn
Canacona: Minister for Sports, Art & Culture and Tribal Welfare, Dr. Ramesh Tawadkar, has said that when women become economically and politically empowered, society progresses at a faster pace.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a special felicitation ceremony for elected women representatives of Canacona taluka, organised by the Goa Panchayat Mahila Shakti Abhiyan – Canacona branch, at Ravindra Bhavan, Canacona.
Highlighting the importance of women’s participation in governance and economic activities, Tawadkar said, “All the women leaders present here today are serving society in their own significant ways. If women are given freedom in decision-making and opportunities in leadership, they can perform with great strength and effectiveness.”
He added that women across Goa, especially in rural areas, are taking the lead in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and self-employment. “Women are now at the forefront of developing sustainable agriculture, which is a matter of great pride,” he noted.
The minister further emphasized that empowering women with decision-making power is key to accelerating social progress. “When socially and politically active individuals become economically empowered, true transformation takes place in society. The government is committed to women’s empowerment and will continue to launch new initiatives to strengthen their role,” Tawadkar said.
The function was attended by State Administrator Nelly Rodrigues, South Goa Zilla Panchayat Chairperson Anita Thorat, Canacona Municipal Council Chairperson Laxuman Pagui, Canacona branch President Vrinda Velip, Block Development Officer Pranit Naik, State President of Mahila Shakti Abhiyan Goa Diksha Kanolkar, and Zilla Panchayat members Shobhana Velip and Shanu Velip, among others.
Vrinda Velip welcomed the gathering, while Diksha Kanolkar stressed the importance of recognizing women representatives’ contributions to society. Nelly Rodrigues highlighted the importance of women’s unity, and Anita Thorat remarked that women’s empowerment must go hand-in-hand with economic independence for true progress.
