Srinagar: Asserting that men and women are equal and can work together in shaping the world, senior Communist Party of India (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Monday alleged that despite all the talk of women empowerment the reality is that government itself undervalues women in our country.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Mr Tarigami said that while celebrating women’s achievements and increasing visibility, calling out inequality, is the key.

Amid the challenging times, the perfect way to celebrate the day is to remind everybody that all men and women are equal and can work together in shaping the world.  Focusing on women’s issues and empowerment is what we should strive for, he said.

The origin of International Women’s Day lies in the struggles of women workers against their exploitative working conditions and to assert their rights and this struggle continues to this day. Despite all the talk of ‘women’s empowerment’ by the government, the reality is that the government itself undervalues women’s work in our country.

The lakhs of women employed by the Government of India (GoI) in its various schemes, like the anganwadi workers and helpers of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) of the National Health Mission (NHM) or the midday meal workers – all of whom cook and feed women and children, take care of their health  – are not even recognised as workers and are paid a measly amount as ‘honorarium’ or ‘incentive’.

In addition, India is one of the countries where the wage gap between men and women performing the same jobs, is very high. On an average, women are paid only two thirds of the wages paid to men.

Srinagar:  Demanding restoration of statehood and Assembly elections as soon as possible, Apni Party President Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Monday alleged that bureaucrats don’t want to give the power back to the representatives of the people as they are used to unaccountability in J&K.

Terming the abrogation of special status of J&K and its bifurcation into two Union territories as the biggest heinous thing which could happen to people anywhere,  Bukhari said that the assets of Jammu and Kashmir are being given away without consulting the people of the erstwhile state.

“We demand that the statehood should be restored immediately and elections held as soon as possible. People of J&K are presently being governed by a thick skinned bureaucratic set-up that hardly has a sense of belonging with this land or have any other motivational factor to get identified with the pressing problems and sufferings faced by the people,” Bukhari told reporters during a press conference on the first foundation day anniversary of Apni party.

“Bureaucrats don’t want to give the power back to the representatives of the people. They are used to unaccountability. I think we have to push them out as they are not ready to give away the power which they are enjoying right now,” he said.

“What happened with the people of J&K on August 5, 2019 was the biggest heinous thing which could happen with people anywhere. We had given a list of prioritizes when the party came into existence. We had mentioned achievable things and the things which we felt was possible to do, including restoration of statehood, domicile rights for land, jobs and pursuing for early hearing of restoration of special status in Supreme Court (SC)… and return of resident of J&K during COVID-19 pandemic, besides others,” he said.

Hitting at J&K administration, Bukhari said he holds the present dispensation responsible for the mess which has been created in J&K Bank.

“I request them as well as warn then that we are aware what is being done. It is high time they restore the autonomy of the bank and allow it to function… it is the backbone of our economy,” he added.

Anantnag: As the world observed International Women’s Day on Monday, a self-taught artist from South Kashmir’s Anantnag district has got entry in both Asia book of records and India book of records for maximum number of paintings on Chinar leaves.

Tabish Aijaz Khan (23), a resident of IqbalAbad area of Anantnag town who is pursuing MBBS in Bangladesh has been painting on stones and waste material.

Tabish said she has been passionate about art work since her childhood and started making paintings when she was in primary class.

She added that the feature in Asia and India book of records is recognition of “your which gives you more courage to work more on your art work.”

“During 2016 unrest I got more time to spend with the art work which I later shared on social media platforms that evoked a very positive response and painting became my passion,” she said, adding that, during Covid lockdown, “I made over 250 paintings.”

“I paint on canvas sheet, paper but I also paint on waste material like chinar leaves, wooden blocks, broken cup, plate eggshells, and stones. As I believe that nothing is useless, it is the way you see the object. When those useless things are painted, it is turned into a beautiful art piece,” Tabish said.

She got featured in Asia and India book records for maximum number of Chinar leaf paintings. “Whenever I feel stressed, painting acts as a stress buster for me,” Tabish said.

She said her parents have been very supportive and painting never affected her studies.

“Wherever I will reach in my life I will continue my art work,” she said.

Tabish says that Kashmiri youth have a lot of talent and only need the right exposure after which they will excel in every field.

“My message to every person of Jammu and Kashmir will be to work hard in whatever field you are as hard work never goes waste,” she said—(KNO)

Srinagar: The Social Work department of Kashmir University (KU) on Monday held a series of events, including an art competition and martial arts demonstration to raise awareness about the importance of self defence for women, on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

The event under the theme, ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world’, also included a skit, which highlighted the problems faced by women in the male-dominated society. The event was graced by the presence of several eminent dignitaries, including Dean of School of Social Science Prof Mohammad Yusuf Ganai, Head of the Department (HOD), Social Works Dr Adil Bashir, and HOD Home Science Prof Nelofar Khan.

A KU official said that the event that was held in accordance with the COVID-19 protocol was kick-started with an art competition in which female students from different schools of Kashmir valley participated, despite incessant rain since late last night. “Some of the paintings drawn by the students highlighted various problems faced by women while others portrayed the women’s power overcoming all obstacles and breaking the glass ceiling. The concept and artistry of all children were widely appreciated by the judges and participants though students from Hilltop school and Crescent school were declared winners,” he said.

Students of Music and Fine Arts, KU, were able to strike a chord with the audience by their mesmerizing performance.

Meanwhile, he said the Foundation for Sports Learning and Development (FSLD) players, which included national and international martial arts medalists, gave a breathtaking demonstration. The foundation also highlighted the importance of self defence for women in the current environment and gave basic tips of martial arts to the audiences.

The students of the Social Works department, KU, also performed a skit that highlighted various ills of the society, including dowry, unequal status of women in the society and gender inequality with society still preferring a boy over a girl.

Dr Adil Bashir, while speaking on the occasion, highlighted the important role played by women in the society. “Time is changing; women are excelling in all the fields though there is a need to raise awareness about gender equality. There are many positive changes which the society has experienced and we need to highlight those things as well,” Dr Bashir said while addressing the participants of the event.

He said women across the globe are speaking out and are getting positive responses, be it equal in salaries or promotions. But, Dr Bashir said there is a lot more which needs to be done to further the cause of women equality.

Similar views were expressed by other speakers, who highlighted the importance of an equal, unbiased society.