No society can call itself civilised if it does not honour women, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Friday as he emphasised on providing reservation for women in Parliament.
Addressing a function here, Mukherjee said the recognition of women in the country's growth has not been taken into account while calculating the GDP, which reflects the attitude of discrimination of the society.
"It's really a dichotomy in our society where we call women as a source of power, embodiment of motherhood. We worship women as deities. Our core civilisational values tell us to respect a woman.
"But unfortunately, we are really disturbed when day-in and day-out we are confronted by news of brutalising of women. Sometimes we wonder. On Friday we are called as civilised society.
Can any society be described as civilised if it doesn't honour its women?" Mukherjee asked.
"The primary objective of civilisational values is to respect the women but we still have to walk many miles to achieve it," he said. The contribution which the women make is unique but it is not recognised, the President noted.
"When we calculate our GDP (Gross Domestic Product), we take into account various factors. But we do not take into account the contributions made by our womenfolk in whatever capacity they may work.
"It is truly reflective of the attitude of discrimination and non-performance on behalf of the society," the President said while inaugurating the centenary celebrations of Women's Indian Association.
He said despite equal rights, the representation of women in Lok Sabha is just 11.3 per cent against the global average of 22.8 per cent. Mukherjee said without appropriate reservations, representation of women will be difficult to achieve on basis of voluntary actions by political parties and institutions, as reservations provide Constitutional guarantees and earmarking of constituencies to be represented by women.
He said in order to have true representation of women in all decision-making bodies, and not making one or two exceptions by making isolating cases of brilliance, opportunities need to be given to them.
Prez for strong deterrent against those with nefarious designs
President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday said a strong deterrent is needed against those who want to adversely affect India's progress and security in view of the ever changing geo-political situation in the region.
He also honoured a helicopter unit for its meritorious works, including its stellar role in confining terrorists to a restricted area during the last year's terror attack on Pathankot Air Force Station.
"India is a responsible and emerging power in a multipolar, multilateral world. The ever changing socio- economic and geo-political scenario in our region of influence demands a strong deterrent against those with nefarious designs to affect the progress, prosperity and security of our nation," Mukherjee said.
Apart from providing deterrence against inimical entities, both external and internal, the armed forces have been at the forefront of providing succour to the citizens during natural calamities, he said.
"The operations by the Indian Air Force during floods in Uttarakhand, Kashmir Valley and Tamil Nadu deserve a special mention and will always be remembered by the entire nation.
"The relentless and selfless operations showcase the fortitude and determination of its gallant air warriors," Mukherjee said.
He was speaking after awarding the President's 'Standard' to 125 Helicopter Squadron and 'Colours' to Mechanical Training Institute at the Tambaram air base, one of the oldest establishments of the Indian Air Force, near here.