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Efforts on to secure 33 per cent reservation for women: Sonia

Terming that a woman's life is full of struggles and challenges, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday assured that efforts were on to secure reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies soon.

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NEW DELHI: Terming that a woman's life is full of struggles and challenges, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday assured that efforts were on to secure reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies soon.

"We have not been successful so far in securing 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and the Vidhan Sabhas. But we are making efforts and soon the reservation will be in place," she said addressing a Mahila Congress function here.

Speaking at the function held to felicitate her for her efforts towards declaration of October two as International Non-Violence Day by the United Nations, Gandhi said women should not lose patience in this regard.

"Our self-confidence will take us ahead. A woman's life is full of struggles and challenges. But there can be no doubt that a society's foundation and existence are courtesy women. Gradually, this will be realised by everyone," Gandhi said.

Gandhi also utilised the occasion to hit back at the party's detractors, saying questions were being raised about the Congress' dedication to the issues of the poor and the under-privileged.

"Congress has always worked for the poor and the under-privileged. And the party will always follow this tradition," she said.

Gandhi thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his help in ensuring that October two, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, would be celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.
   
Gandhi said the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi were revolutionary and would continue to be revolutionary.
   
"The world has accepted the importance of his ideas. There can be nothing more revolutionary than his ideas of Ahimsa and Satyagraha," she said.
   
Noting that the function coincided with the birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, she said women should draw inspiration from her life and work.

"Indiraji's name will remain eternal as the most powerful in the history of modern India," Gandhi said.

The function, however, saw some unsavoury scenes, with a large number of Mahila Congress members not allowed entry into Talkatora Stadium, as it was already jam-packed, and a scuffle breaking out among some women at the venue.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had to intervene and ask the women to maintain order.

There was heavy security at the venue in the backdrop of a reported militant plot targeting top politicians of the country and the doors of the stadium were closed almost an hour in advance of the arrival of Gandhi.

As the Mahila Congress members complained about not being allowed inside the stadium, security officials said the doors were closed as the venue was already houseful.

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