Karnataka officer Prabha bestowed laurels by Singapore for empowering women

By NewsGram Staff Writer

Bangalore: Karnataka additional chief secretary, K Ratna Prabha has been selected by the Singapore government to participate in the 'Women and Leadership Programme' in its consulate general in Chennai in recognition of her leadership and service to empower women.

On Tuesday, an official release bestowed the participation privilege upon Prabha by stating, "The Singapore government has sponsored Prabha's participation in the three-day programme organised by its Chennai consulate general to provide women executives with leadership skills for overcoming gender bias and achieving success in their workplace."

The bureaucrat in the state commerce and industry department is yet to share her thoughts and her rich experience in the programme for aspiring women leaders to achieve success in higher echelons of any organisation.

The statement also recognised Prabha's contribution to women issues by saying, "During her administrative tenure spanning over three decades, Prabha encouraged hundreds of women to utilise their talent and face challenges in the male-dominated society."

Prabha, as deputy commissioner of Chikkamagaluru district, about 250 km from Bengaluru, implemented a pilot project for women and child development in rural areas, and rehabilitated devadasis in the Raichur district by allotting lands and making them self-reliant in the 1990's.

As deputy commissioner in Bidar district, about 700 km from Bengaluru, the bureaucrat covered women beneficiaries in the zila parishad (local body) action plan with the cooperation of local representatives.

Highlighting her unique contributions to women rights, the statement noted:

"As principal secretary in the state ITC department, Prabha unveiled a unique programme – Jawahar Knowledge Centre – to provide jobs to rural educated girls.

Prabha also encouraged women to drive buses and become bus conductors as principal secretary in the transport department."

Adding on to the long list of services rendered by Prabha, the statement also noted that, as revenue secretary later, she encouraged women to register properties in their names by giving one percent discount in stamp duty.

Setting up of working women hostels in cities, towns and rural areas and initiating steps to check women trafficking in vulnerable areas were among the other notable contributions brought to light by the statement.

"In the state's new industrial policy (2014-19) Prabha introduced a chapter to encourage women entrepreneurship and women enterprises across the state to help the socio-economic development of families," the statement ended by delineating her most respected endowment.

(With inputs from IANS)