Hamirpur, Sep 24 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat on Thursday stressed on educating the girl child and empowering women so that they could be equal partners in the country's development.

Lauding the 'Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao' (Save girl child, educate girl child) campaign launched by the central government, he said women should be provided equal opportunities for their advancement and growth.

The governor was speaking at the inauguration of a four-day inter-college youth festival here.

He said Indian women have proved their merit in all fields in India and abroad.

He said the youth were the backbone of any country and if their energy was channelised towards constructive and nation building activities then only development was possible.

He said the youth should work for creating a drug-free society.

Advocating the need to promote organic farming, the governor said a majority of the country's population resided in the villages and farming was an important vocation which should be strengthened.