Social messages convert Jalandhar city walls into beautiful canvass

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, September 27

The district administration has taken a step forward to spread awareness regarding women empowerment. The Pathankot bypass and the PAP Chowk have been painted with graffiti, giving a creative expression to the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao programme.

The entire graffiti work at both locations is based on the theme ‘Women empowerment’ and portraits of great women achievers, including Lata Mangeshkar, Malala Yousafzai, PV Sindhu, Surinder Kaur, Mother Teresa and Mary Kom. Not only this, social messages, emphasising the role of women in society and gender equality, have converted the walls into beautiful canvasses.

Talking to The Tribune, District Programme Officer (DPO) Gurminder Randhawa said, “Even though the plight of women in India has improved marginally over the past few years, we still have a long way to go. These paintings celebrate the achievements of Indian women and also showcase the evils that still exist.”

He said the recent incident of Kusum has proved to be the epitome of women empowerment in the city and it shows that women are no less and that it’s time people changed their mindset.

The DPO said a hefty sum has been spent on these paintings and local artists were hired to create these artistic pieces. He said while most of the work has been done at some walls, the work was still underway. Besides, he said more such graffiti would come up in other parts of the district in future.

However, Randhawa also said though a section of society has been appreciating the graffiti, there are many, who have been defacing the walls by pasting posters and banners among other advertisements.

Meanwhile, city residents are also elated over this move of the administration and have appreciated the work done. “It is good to come across such as social message beig put forward in a creative way. Besides, it also enhances the beauty of the city,” said Gurpreet Kaur, a resident.

“Colourful paintings on city walls look good, but these should exist for long. The administration should also ensure that those found spoiling the graffiti are fined. Moreover, all illegal dumping points here should also be converted into green belts. People visiting Punjab is on the verge of development,” said Jaspal Singh, another resident.

Braveheart kusum also features on the wall

The district administration has also dedicated a graffiti to braveheart Kusum at the PAP Chowk here. She has also been announced as district brand ambassador under the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao scheme. DC Ghanshyam Thori said the graffiti had been dedicated to Kusum for her act of bravery that has made the entire city proud as she has emerged as an ideal for girls. “We are hopeful that Kusum’s graffiti will inspire hundreds of city girls to face challenges with confidence,” he said.