Panaji, January 25, 2018 … National Girl Child Day was observed by Directorate of Health Services (DHS), State Family Welfare Bureau (SFWB), Directorate of Women and Child Development (DWCD) in association with North Goa District Collectorate, Panaji at Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) Auditorium today.
Collector and District Magistrate of North Goa Smt. Nila Mohanan, IAS was the Chief Guest for the function while Director of DWCD Shri. Dilip Desai was the Guest of Honour. Director of DHS Dr. Sanjeev Dalvi, Dy. Director Dr. Jose D’sa, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vandana Dhume and renowned Konkani actress Dr. Minakchi Martins were present on the occasion.
The event began with lighting the traditional lamp followed by THE welcome address by Dr. Vandana Dhume. The Chief Guest later distributed prizes to the winners of short filmmaking competition held by DHS on the theme ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. Ms. Rucha Prabhudessai, Ms. Ella Marie Filanto Sequeira and Shri. Elton Bosco Coutinho won the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
While addressing the gathering, Smt. Nila Mohanan, IAS said that the society needs to emphasize on collaborative and co-operative efforts by men and women in order to get gender equality in place. “This year we wanted to provoke the thought of ‘Beti Bacho, Beti Padhao’ and women empowerment. Gender equality is a journey in which both boys and girls should participate, as only women fighting for it makes it a lonely battle.”
Smt. Mohanan appreciated DHS for their efforts and commitment towards ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme. “The message of women empowerment and education must reach out at the grass root level. Goa is a small and educated state, does not come across many such issues, however, each one of us must make an effort and work towards women empowerment,” she said.
Shri. Umesh Borkar compered the function while Dr. Jose D’sa proposed the vote of thanks. The event concluded with the screening of the award winning short films.
