Re-double efforts to protect women: Prez

As the country celebrated Raksha Bandhan yesterday, President Pranab Mukherjee urged people to re-double their efforts to protect women.

"The Rakhi is a thread of affection that sisters tie on the hands of their brothers. We must remember that this gesture is not a mere ritual, but a powerful act that obligates every man to ensure the safety and security of our women," he said at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"I would like to call upon the nation to re-double efforts for the protection of women and their welfare. We must ensure that the women of our country feel safe and secure at all times," the president said.

"Abhorrent practices such as female foeticide and dowry deaths should be brought to an end. Further, the welfare of the girl child should be a priority," he said. u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0u00a0