Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore
Pic's: Prajwal Ukkuda
 
Mangalore, Apr 27: A Women’s Convention was organised by the BJP's city unit Dakshina Kannada Mahila Morcha at the Town hall here on Saturday, April 26.
 
Speaking at the convention well-known Kannada cine artiste Shruthi expressed a desire to see the number of women entering politics increasing, as it has been in the field of business. She reminded women not to consider men as their rivals but as equal partners in progress.
 

She opined that both men and women must "grow hand-in-hand." And therefore, urged women not to  treat men as their enemies, as both are equally responsible for the development of the society. Shruthi, also a member of the BJP State election campaigning committee said women need to introspect as to why they were not a force to reckon with in the political arena. They should raise from the status of ‘minority’ to majority, in terms of their opportunities and power.
 
In her opinion for either victory or defeat, women themselves were responsible. And if somebody finds what appears as a  cause for failure, it  will just be a pretext, she  pointed out giving the example of her own career on silver screen.  She further revealed that it was the respect and care of BJP towards women, that attracted her towards the party. She did not forget to thank her admirers, because of whose fanfare she could survive in the sandalwood continuously for 17 years.

Another speaker, retired lecturer from Canara College Sharada Ghate in her inaugural speech said that there is a need to increase awareness about democracy among the masses.  According to her the concept of democracy has not ripened properly in India, where the layman still does not have a clear understanding of democracy.

She exhorted all to forget the issues of caste, religion, race and gender and place nation first. There are only two parties she said - the ruling party and a strong opposition - to ensure that the country develops on the right path. Moreover, she said India boasted of being the largest democracy but it should be an ideal democracy also, she added. 

The meet was presided over by Mahila Morcha State president Bharathi Shetty. Also present on the occasion were deputy mayor Shakeela Kava, BJP district president Monappa Bhandary, former minister B Nagaraj Shetty, former MLA Yogish Bhat, Morcha district head K T Shailaja Bhat, State secretariat member Sulochana Bhat,  unit president Asha Jagadish.