New Delhi [India], March 8 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended birthday greetings to former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.
“Birthday greetings to @BJP4India Vice President and former Rajasthan CM @VasundharaBJP Ji. May Almighty bless her with long and healthy life,” PM Modi tweeted.
Union minister Smriti Irani also sent warm wishes to the former CM.
“Warm birthday greetings to @VasundharaBJP ji. May you be blessed with good health, happiness and long life in the service of the Nation,” she said.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also wished her on the occasion.
“Wish you a very happy birthday National Vice President of Bharatiya Janata Party and former Chief Minister of Rajasthan @VasundharaBJP. May you have a healthy and long life, this is my wish to God,” the union minister tweeted. (ANI)

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], March 8 (ANI): Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday said that his government will start eight new schemes aimed at empowering and protecting women on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
The Chief Minister also said that the government will issue appointment letters to 2,047 women teachers and launch 181 Saanjh Shakti Helpline and Police Helpdesks.
“This #InternationalWomensDay we will kickstart 8 new schemes aimed at empowering and protecting women, including issuing appointment letters for 2047 Lady Teachers, 181 Saanjh Shakti Helpline and Police Helpdesks. More power to our women!” he tweeted.
Each year on March 8, International Women’s Day is observed in order to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day commemorates women, who despite various challenges posed by society have proven their mettle in every sphere across the world. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 8 (ANI): Various places across the country were decked up ahead of International Women’s Day to mark the occasion.
In Mumbai, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus was illuminated with pink lights during the night.
Union Minister of Railways, Piyush Goyal shared visuals of the terminus on Twitter and said: “Celebrating Womanhood: The iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus lit up in pink ahead of International Women’s Day in Mumbai, Maharashtra.”
Speaking to ANI, Pratiksha Kulkarni, a local said: “I really like the way CST is lit today. We feel special. I am thankful to the government for this special gesture.”
Rucha, another local told ANI: “I feel proud to be a woman. We like the decor of CST ahead of Women’s Day celebrations in the state. I feel proud to be a woman.”
Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar’s bungalow was also lit up by pink lights.

In the national capital, Delhi Police’s music band performed at a school for visually challenged students in the Nizamuddin area on the eve of Women’s Day. A majority of the students in the school are girls.
Lucknow’s Charbagh Station in Uttar Pradesh too was decorated to mark International Women’s Day. The station was lit up with pink lights.

International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide every year on March 8 to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the globe.
This year, the theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is ‘Choose to Challenge’ (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 8 (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday extended his greetings on the occasion of International Women’s Day and said women are capable of creating history and future with formidable grace.
“Women are capable of creating history and future with formidable grace. Don’t let anyone stop you. #InternationalWomensDay,” he tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India takes pride in the many accomplishments of the women of the nation and added it is his Government’s honour to be getting the opportunity to work towards furthering women empowerment across a wide range of sectors.
“Saluting our indomitable #NariShakti on International Women’s Day! India takes pride in the many accomplishments of the women of our nation. It is our Government’s honour to be getting the opportunity to work towards furthering women empowerment across a wide range of sectors,” PM Modi tweeted.
President Ram Nath Kovind also extended his greeting to the people of India on the occasion of International Women’s Day and urged all people to take a resolve to promote gender justice and eliminate gender inequality.
“On the occasion of International Women’s Day, greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens. Women in our country are setting new records and achievements in various fields. Let us collectively resolve to promote gender justice and eliminate inequality between women and men,” the President tweeted
International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide every year on March 8 to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the globe.
This year, the theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is ‘Choose to Challenge’ (ANI)

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 8 (ANI): A total of 36 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra Legislative assembly, informed JJ hospital on Monday.
“A total of 2,746 samples were tested for re-entry to the legislative assembly for the budget session of Maharashtra on March 6 and 7, out of which 36 were found positive,” JJ hospital said in a statement.
The samples were taken from MLAs, their staff, government officials, police personnel and journalists, etc who are attending the assembly sessions from last week. A test was conducted a week back also when over 3,900 samples were tested and 42 were found COVID-19 positive.
The Maharashtra assembly will table the budget on Monday morning. The budget will be presented by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar who holds charge of the finance ministry.
The budget session of the Maharashtra assembly was earlier curtailed due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.
The state, meanwhile, registered 10,187 fresh COVID-19 infections and 47 deaths on Sunday, the union health ministry informed. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 8 (ANI): Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Samsit Patra and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sonal Mansingh have given a zero hour notice in Rajya Sabha over several issues.
Patra has given notice over the need to ensure more participation of women in the leadership role and for legislations to ensure gender equality.
Mansingh gave the notice over the demand to celebrate International Women’s Day and give consideration to issues affecting women.
During zero hour, parliamentarians can raise issues of urgent public importance. Members usually give expression to their feelings around noon after the Question Hour. This time has been termed as ‘Zero Hour’.
The second part of the Budget session of Parliament commenced Monday with all COVID-19 precautionary measures in place.
The Rajya Sabha will function from 9 am to 2 pm while Lok Sabha will function between 4 pm to 10 pm. The second part of the session will conclude April 8, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had informed.
Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet at 11:30 AM as the second part of the Budget Session of Parliament commences on Monday.
International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide every year on March 8 to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the globe.
This year, the theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is ‘Choose to Challenge’ (ANI)