Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has disclosed that the Central government will take concrete steps to enforce the women's reservation bill after the 2024 census.

The announcement came during her address at the release of a commemorative postal stamp dedicated to Rani Abbakka in Moodbidri, Dakshina Kannada district, on Friday.

Highlighting the Prime Minister's commitment to empowering women in nation-building, Sitharaman emphasized that the women's bill has now become a reality. She lauded the courage and heroism of Rani Abbakka, the 16th-century queen of Ullal, who valiantly fought against the Portuguese.

Sitharaman mentioned that the Union government is actively documenting the contributions of lesser-known fighters who resisted imperial forces.

As part of the Aazadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative, the government has compiled a digital district repository containing 14,500 stories that spotlight locations associated with the freedom struggle, Sitharaman informed.

Additionally, the Union Ministry of Culture has partnered with Amar Chitra Katha to produce three books focusing on the roles of women in the freedom struggle, women in the constituent assembly, and tribal leaders of the freedom movement.

Expressing optimism, Sitharaman voiced her hope for the establishment of a Sainik School in coastal Karnataka named after Rani Abbakka. She commended artist Vasudev Kamath for his portrait of Rani Abbakka, featured on the commemorative postal stamp.

The event was attended by Sri Kshetra Dharmastala dharmadhikari (hereditary administrator) Veerendra Heggade and Chief Post Master General (Karnataka Circle) S Rajendra Kumar.