On eve 40th women congress foundation day website for , membership drive also launched 

NEW DELHI, September 15: The All India Mahila Congress today celebrated its 40th Foundation Day. It was on this day forty years ago, on September 15, 1984, that former Prime Minister Ms Indira Gandhi had laid the foundation of the Mahila Congress. 

The organisation launched its website and the membership drive to mark the occasion. 

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here today, president of the All India Mahila Congress, Ms Alka Lamba, said, besides the membership drive, there will be a leadership training programme for all the Mahila Congress office-bearers across the country. 

She said, the Mahila Congress will continue to work for the empowerment, self-respect, security and dignity of the women in the country. She also said that it will work for the implementation of the Women Reservation law in the country, which has been passed by the Parliament but has not been implemented yet. 

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in his message while congratulating the Congress workers, said, the party had always taken lead in empowering women in the country. He lauded the launching of the website and membership drive by the Mahila Congress.
 
He recalled that it was Congress which gave the country its first woman Governor Sarojini Naidu in 1947, first woman Chief Minister Sucheta Kriplani in 1963, first woman Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1966, first woman President Pratibha Patil in 2007 and first woman Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar in 2009. 

Extending his greetings to lakhs of women Congress workers and leaders, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi saluted their dedication and commitment towards ensuring respect, dignity, equality and security of women in the country. “Your untiring efforts are helping a great deal in empowering the women”, he told the Mahila Congress in his message. 

               Ms Lamba expressed her gratitude to the Congress president and the Leader of the Opposition for support and encouragement to the Mahila Congress.