Patna: The JD(U) on Friday organised ‘Nitish Samvad—Jeevika Ke 20 Saal Bemisaal’ at its state office to mark 20 years of the women’s self-help group programme. Former CM and party national president Nitish Kumar inaugurated the event by lighting a ceremonial lamp and paying a floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.Similar programmes were organised by the party in all 38 districts. Women attending the event spoke about the economic and social changes they attributed to Jeevika.JD(U) national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha said Jeevika was launched in 2006, within a year of Nitish Kumar becoming CM. “Whenever women’s empowerment is discussed, Nitish’s name will be written in golden letters,” he said, adding, “Political circumstances may change, but his name cannot be erased from the hearts of Bihar’s women.”Health minister Nishant Kumar said Jeevika had become an example of women’s dignity, prosperity and empowerment. He said women had been given opportunities in education, politics and employment, while 50% reservation was provided in panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies. “Today, Jeevika women are engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy production, handicrafts and small businesses, strengthening their families financially,” he said.JD(U) state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha said Jeevika, which began as a small initiative 20 years ago, had grown into a large movement, with more than 1.88 crore women associated with it. He cited the cycle, uniform, Kanya Utthan and women’s reservation schemes as initiatives that had changed women’s lives.
