New Delhi March 8 : President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders greeted the citizens on the International women’s Day on Tuesday. The Day is observed every year to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The theme for this year is ‘hashtag breaks The Bias’. In his message on Twitter, President Ram Nath Kovind said, “Greetings on the International Women’s Day! Women are making exemplary contributions in all walks of life. Let us recommit ourselves to ensure their safety and dignity and to provide opport ties to each of them to pursue their dreams and aspirations”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “On Women’s Day, I salute our Nari Shakti and their accomplishments in diverse fields. The Government of India will keep focusing on women empowerment through its various schemes with an emphasis on dignity as well as opport ty.” “From financial inclusion to social security, quality healthcare to housing, education to entrepreneurship, many efforts have been made to put our Nari Shakti at the forefront of India’s development journey. These efforts will continue with even greater vigour in the coming times” he Tweeted. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also greeted the people on International Women’s Day. “On this day, let us collectively strive to build a gender neutral world by ensuring that women are not discriminated against in any form. Let us resolve to empower women by upholding their dignity, ensuring their safety and providing them with equal opport ties. #WomensDay” he tweeted. on Home Minister Amit Shah also greeted the people on the occasion and said human development is incomplete without women empowerment. “On ‘International Women’s Day’, salute to women power, the epitome of courage and bravery. Human development is incomplete without women empowerment. The Modi government is instilling new confidence in the mother power by making them strong, due to which they are making the country proud with their achievements in every field” he Tweeted. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in his message that, “Women are capable of transforming a society by their wisdom, dedication and strength. They must get their long pending due. Women’s Day greetings to all.” On the occasion, President Ram Nath Kovind will confer Nari Shakti Puraskar for the year 2020 and 2021 on Tuesday. The award ceremony for the year 2020 could not be held in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic. Nari Shakti Puraskar is an initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development to acknowledge the exceptional contribution made by individuals and institutions, to celebrate women as game changers and catalyst of positive change in the society. In all, 28 awards will be presented to 29 individuals. The winners for the year 2020 are from fields as diverse as entrepreneurship, agriculture, innovation, social work, arts and crafts, STEMM, and wildlife conservation. JA ACL1046