Date:23/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/23/stories/2008122360871100.htm

National

More women should join self-help groups, says Rahul

Special Correspondent

— Photo: PTI

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Amethi on Monday.

LUCKNOW: Congress general secretary and member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi on Monday said he dreamt of an India where there was no hunger and where people lived without fear.

Addressing a function to mark the launch of the ‘Priyadarshini’ scheme of women self-help groups at Gauriganj in his Amethi constituency, he said people could become self-reliant only if women joined self-help groups in large numbers.

Recalling a recent visit to the house of Sunita, a poor villager, in his constituency, Mr. Gandhi said that during his interaction with her children, Sachin and Naman, he was told that they feared the police most because they beat up their father.

When Mr. Gandhi asked Sunita’s husband why he wore warm clothes while his sons were virtually naked, he said if he was taken ill in the winter chill, he would not be able to go to work and his kids would starve.

Efforts should be made to ensure two square meals a day for poor people like Sunita and her family, who should be able to live without fear, Mr. Gandhi said.

UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi stressed empowerment of women through self-help groups, and said development would not be possible without women’s participation.

She launched the Priyadarshini scheme (named after Indira Gandhi) in Bahraich, Shravasti, Rae Bareli and Sultanpur districts.