Indian women are considered as a source of power (Shakti) since time immemorial. Goddesses have been worshipped as mother in major religions of India, which means the mother is the original source, giving life to everyone. Moreover, the mother is the first teacher
for the young ones, who helps them to recognize the world from the very beginning. Hence, women should be given proper recognition and support. However, in the post-independent era, the policy-makers realized that women were totally neglected and not recognized at all.
It has been felt that all-round economic development will remain a distant dream until all sections of the society are fully involved in the process of economic and social development. Exclusion of any section on any basis will not only deny the fruits of economic progress to that neglected section, but delay the process of development itself. One key segment of the society, included in the main-stream economic activity that could definitely change the fortunes of the society as a whole, is obviously women.

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