Mysuru: A two-day National Conference on Women Empowerment and Rural Development organised by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Mysore commenced this morning at Rani Bahadur auditorium here in Manasagangothri.

About 500 research scholars, faculty members and professionals are participating in the conference featuring deliberations and discussions.

Inaugurating the programme,  Minister for Sugar and Small Scale Industries Dr. Geetha Mahadevaprasad said that women empowerment was the need of the hour. She contended that women play a vital role in society which covers family, industry or any social activity. However,  she observed that the society continues to be male-dominated and regretted that violence was targeted on women.

She pointed out that the government had implemented good schemes for women to empower them socially and economically. She added that she was coming out with a book on 140 woman achievers.

A commemorative volume was released on the occasion. Mysore University In-charge Vice-Chancellor Prof. C. Basavaraju presided. Director of Abdul Nazir Sab Institute of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj  D. Pranesh Rao was the Chief Guest. Varsity Registrar D. Bharathi, Registrar (Evaluation) J. Somashekar, Syndicate members Shruthi Tarun Giri, Prof. Nanjundaiah, IDS Director H. Nagaraj, former Director Prof. K.V. Aiyanna, Organising Secretary Dr. S.M. Mangala and others were present.