New Delhi, Dec 29 : Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Saturday condoled the demise of 23-year-old Delhi gang rape victim and said that the whole nation is proud of her as she has become a symbol of protest against sexual assault on women in the country.

"For the last 10 to 12 days the country has been struggling with a very sad and very difficult situation. Her (victim) sacrifice must not go in vain. A new chapter must begin. The country and the society should rise and ensure that under every circumstances must respected," said Kumar.

"There should be no discrimination and violence against women. There is a need to make stricter laws. The most important is that people should change their mindsets and mentality," she added.

While asked about convening special session of Parliament to discuss the issue and amend the laws related to such cases, Kumar said that according to the constitution only President can take a decision on the government's advice regarding this.

The 23-year-old paramedical student, who was gang-raped on the night of December 16 in a moving bus, died at 2:15 a. m. at Singapore's well-known multi-organ transplant facility -Mount Elizabeth Hospital. (ANI)