India's armed forces will see a larger participation of women in the coming years due to the recent steps taken by the government, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday. Addressing a FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) event in New Delhi, Singh also said women have a big role to play in placing India among the world’s top three economies.
“Today, women are not only working in the Army in every wing, but now we are also giving permanent commission to them. Today, admission is being given to boys as well as girls in every Sainik School. The doors of NDA have also been opened for women. About two lakh women took the entrance exam last year with great enthusiasm. The percentage of women in the Indian Army will increase significantly in the coming times,” the ministers aid.
Singh said a number of schemes dedicated to skill development, employment and entrepreneurship have been rolled out by the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These schemes have paved way for the holistic development of women and given them confidence to forge a new identity, he said.
“Women are now playing an active role in all spheres of life, including education, health, industry, trade, defence and sports,” the minister added.
Singh listed out a number of schemes that aim to promote the entrepreneurship of the youth, especially women and reiterated the government’s commitment to promote women entrepreneurship in India. Quoting a study, the minister noted that if obstacles in the way of women are removed, at least 1.5 crore new businesses can be started, creating about 6.4 crore additional jobs.
This ecosystem of women entrepreneurship will inspire more women and new businesses will emerge, he said.
Singh pointed out the equal respect given to women in India since the Vedic times, stressing that women play a crucial role in the upliftment of society. The Government considers women as building blocks of the future and no stone is being left unturned to ensure their multi-layered development across the country, he said.