Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 23 (NationPress) Vijaya Rahatkar, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, expressed her profound respect for Veer Savarkar and fellow freedom fighters during her visit to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as reported by an official.

In a post shared on X, Rahatkar stated, “I had the privilege of visiting the historic Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and paid my respects to the walls that resonate with the immense suffering, courage, and struggle of our freedom fighters.”

“I am overjoyed to have seen the cell where Veer Savarkar ji was imprisoned. This cell — a testament to sacrifice, penance, and timeless patriotism — is not just a room; it’s where the dream of freedom ignited through acts of devotion, revolution was born from words, and every hardship for our Mother India was faced with resilience,” she shared.

“In this very place, Veer Savarkar ji endured the torment of the black waters, wielded the pen in the fight for our homeland, and inspired a generation with his unwavering spirit,” she added.

“Upon viewing his cell, a line from his own poem echoed in my mind — a declaration of loyalty and the deep sentiment of sacrifice: ‘For you, death is my birth, Without you, birth is death,’” she quoted in Hindi.

This visit was not simply about observing history; it was about experiencing the passion that led India to its independence, she emphasized.

Joining her were members of the National Commission for Women — Delina Khongdup, Mamta Kumari, Dr. Archana Majumdar — along with Secretary Sudeep Jain and various officials from the Commission, all of whom paid their respects at this revered site.

On the previous day, Rahatkar facilitated discussions on “Laws Related to Women in Prisons” in Sri Vijaya Puram.

This meeting aimed to pinpoint immediate reforms essential for enhancing the rights, welfare, and dignity of women prisoners nationwide.

“It is encouraging that we brought together experts, prison administrators, and policymakers on a single platform to engage in significant discussions regarding these vital reforms,” Rahatkar wrote on X.

Women make up 4.3% of the total prison population in India, yet many states still struggle with severe challenges such as overcrowded facilities, insufficient medical and mental health services, lack of gender-sensitive infrastructure, hygiene issues, and increased security threats.

To promote inclusivity and comprehensive representation, the Commission previously held eight regional consultations across various locations including Noida, Panaji, Aizawl, Patna, Bhopal, Patiala, Hyderabad, and Dehradun, she noted.

These consultations yielded over 300 expert recommendations. The national consultation on Saturday served as the concluding phase of these regional discussions, focusing on over 200 critical proposals in detail, she concluded.