Dehradun, Sep 27 (PTI) BJP president JP Nadda on Monday said that empowering women and harnessing their talent for nation building has been central to the party"s policy. Virtually addressing the concluding session of the national executive of the BJP Mahila Morcha here, Nadda said respecting women has been part of the Indian tradition and the ancient Hindu scriptures are a testimony to this fact. He spoke of the importance given to women in gurukuls in ancient India. The BJP chief said the world may be saying "ladies first" today but India has been, from time immemorial, taking the names of its goddesses before that of its gods like Gauri-Shankar, Sita-Ram and Radha-Krishna. Nadda said recognition of women"s merit and bringing them at par with men is also evident in the way Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given key portfolios like external affairs, finance and human resource development to women. This is the largest representation given to women in any ministry, he said. The BJP leader said Indian women have excelled in different walks of life and also spoke about how well women like PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal were doing in the field of sports. He also showered praise on women for playing a vital role in the country"s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.   Earlier, during a question-answer session, BJP organisational general secretary BL Santosh said the party intends to give 57 per cent reservation to women, not just 33 per cent, but it will take time.  BJP Mahila Morcha president Vanati Shrinivasan, general secretaries Indu Bala Goswami and D Purandeshwari were among those who attended the meeting. PTI ALM   AAR