Women involvement in R&D crucial for quality of life of daughters: Prez

Jaipur: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday called for greater participation of women in research and development (R&D), saying it is essential not only for socioeconomic development of the country but also for improving the quality of life for future generations, especially daughters.

Addressing the 18th convocation ceremony of Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT) here, Murmu expressed delight at the rising enrolment of girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields across the country. This positive trend, she noted, is crucial for achieving excellence in scientific and technological fields.

Murmu was particularly proud of the achievements of female students at MNIT. In this convocation, 12 out of 20 gold medals were won by female students, who accounted for only 29% of the total graduating students. “The proportion of girls among medal winners is evidence that if they are given equal opportunities, they can achieve greater excellence,” Murmu said.

In her 12-minute speech, the President praised the unique model of NITs, where half the students come from the home states and the other half from other states across India. This, she noted, nurtures local talent while also promoting the nation’s “spirit of unity in diversity”.

Highlighting the importance of NITs in making India a global hub for research and innovation, Murmu underscored MNIT’s role through its innovation and incubation centre, which has organised several start-up programmes. “These initiatives have helped launch 125 start-ups, creating employment opportunities and driving innovation,” she said.

Murmu commended the institute’s commitment to emerging technological demands, particularly through the establishment of the department of Artificial Intelligence and data engineering. She stressed the role of technical institutions in making India a leading nation in the field of technology, particularly in this era of the fourth industrial revolution, where new challenges and opportunities arise.

Speaking at the programme, Governor Haribhau Bagde said the foundation of PM Narendra Modi’s vision for a ‘Developed India 2047’ lies in the country’s rapid progress across all sectors. The role of the youth, he said, is crucial in achieving this goal. He urged the youth to utilise their acquired technical knowledge for the nation’s development.

CM Bhajan Lal Sharma said in his address the state govt is continuously setting new benchmarks in the field of education.

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