SPEECH BY HON'BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SMT. PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE 17TH CONVOCATION OF MOTHER TERESA WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY

Chennai, 2nd November 2007

Respected Shri Surjit Singh Barnalaji, Chancellor of Mother Teresa Women's University,

Dr. K. Ponmudy, Minister for Higher Education and Pro-Chancellor of the University,

Dr. Poongothai, Minister for Social Welfare,

Dr. D. Janaki, Vice Chancellor of the University,

Dear Students,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to participate at the 17th Convocation of Mother Teresa Women's University. I am greatly honoured by the University's decision to confer an Honorary D. Litt. Degree on me. It imposes a greater responsibility on me to further the cause of women's education and empowerment - a cause close to my heart.

Mother Teresa Women's University was established in 1984, in the presence of Mother Teresa, a legend of our times, a humanitarian par-excellence and Nobel Laureate for Peace. It is an unique educational institution devoted solely to women's causes, and seeks to empower women, especially poor and marginalized women through education.

This University has a noble mission and it must work tirelessly for educating women, equipping them with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to be productively employed and to serve the nation as well as humanity at large. A university is a sacred place where knowledge is imparted, values instilled in the youth and where they can seek intellectual pursuit. I am reminded of the words of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, when describing the role of Universities he said, and I quote, "A university stands for humanism, for tolerance, for reason, for progress, for the adventure of ideas and for the search for truth. It stands for the onward march of the human race towards even higher objectives. If universities discharge their duty adequately, then it is well with the nation and the people. But if the temple of learning itself becomes a home of narrow bigotry and petty objectives, how then will the nation prosper or a people grow in stature?" I am confident that Mother Teresa Women's University will be inspired and guided by the words of Pandit Nehru and will strive hard for academic excellence, personality development of women and giving women the skills and capabilities to lead meaningful lives.

One of the hallmarks of our freedom movement was the emphasis on the emancipation of women. Mahatma Gandhi encouraged women to play an active role in public affairs, he said and I quote "There is no occasion for women to consider themselves subordinate or inferior to men� Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacity.... If by strength is meant moral power, then a woman is immeasurably man's superior."

It is true that the emancipation and empowerment of women was one of the important guiding principles of our national freedom movement. We have achieved some success but still have a long way to go in fully realizing this idea. In fact a paradox of sorts exists as far as women in India are concerned. On the one hand, women have established that they can undertake all types of missions and work - whether it be scaling the Himalayas, going into space, serving in the Armed Forces and Police, being administrators and diplomats, managing multinational companies or small businesses, joining professions like medicine engineering or teaching. On the other hand, it is equally true that women face numerous challenges and discrimination emanating from social prejudices. They are victims of violence and physical abuse. Regrettably there has been a rise in crimes against women and families worry about the lack of security for their women. I hope we can all join hands and work together to make it safer and more secure for girls at college and women at work. Empowering women will require a multi-pronged approach. A three E-approach - enabling environment, education and equality - would be very useful.

The Government has put in place legislation to protect women against domestic violence and from sexual harassment at the workplace and to give Hindu women inheritance rights in co-parcenary property. A major initiative taken in 1992 was the reservation of one-third of seats for women in the urban and local self-governments. As a result, 1.2 million women at the grassroots level have been brought into political decision-making. Women's participation at the gram panchayat levels was an important step towards social, economic and political empowerment of women.

Legislative and administrative initiatives to empower our women are necessary and important, but not enough. We also need a fundamental change in our mindsets. We need a new social reform movement for gender equality and empowerment of our women - a movement that changes society's attitude towards women. Grassroots women's movements can be the most vocal champions of women's empowerment. Self-Help Women Groups in India have made a significant impact on the economic empowerment of rural women. The efforts of civil society and women's groups must continue. They should be made partners in programmes for women upliftment.

The worst manifestation in our country of gender discrimination is female foeticide. Unfortunately, female foeticide is committed not only by the illiterate and the impoverished, it is being committed in cities and among the educated and well-to-do. It is shocking that there are higher incidents of female foeticide in the more developed districts and regions of our country. Society has to be made aware that a girl child is a boon and a gift.

The first step towards ending such discrimination against girls and women is education. In the preference for sons over daughters, women and girls are given limited opportunities in education and work. This approach needs to be altered. We have to increase the enrollment of girls at school. We have to vastly improve female literacy. Educated women can help in women literacy programmes. They can also contribute by helping other women, who are not so fortunate to have been educated, in making them socially aware. I suggest that every student should be given field exposure in rural areas to propagate about women education, status of women and against social evils. Such social awareness campaigns, like NSS volunteers help not only in the social but also the economic advancement of the country.

I also believe that women who wish to pursue studies should be supported through scholarships and with easy loan facilities from banks. This financial support is necessary for increasing education of women at the higher levels. Women should also be encouraged to build entrepreneurship as a career option and to look at self-employment options. Specialized training programmes, including vocational training centers for women should be started in every State. Similarly, schemes for making loans available to women for establishing their own businesses would be very useful.

It is equally important for women to be motivated to fight discrimination and to march towards equal status. They should work determinedly for their own empowerment that would give them the confidence to face the challenges of life. One important step in this direction is imparting physical education - like Judo, Karate - for self-defence to girl students from a very early age so as to make them physically strong and to build-up their confidence. Self-defence is the best defence. Now-a-days a large number of women are joining the police force. Those who needed protection earlier are now giving protection to others. It is a big change.

Subramaniya Bharathi, the great poet and freedom fighter, would emphasize that women of excellence do not falter from the chosen path. Enlightened women are very important for nation building since their thoughts and value systems will lead to the development of a good family, a good society and a good nation. Moreover, women can contribute greatly to building a compassionate world. There are many sick, needy and poor who need our love and support. We need to understand the sufferings of others. Educated women can take the lead in building a compassionate society and a more tolerant world. This reminds me of a poem I studied in school:

If all the trees were one tree, what a great tree it would be;

If all rivers were one river, what a great river it would be;

and I always feel

If all women in the world speak in one voice, what a great voice it will be to bring peace, prosperity and happiness in the world.

I sincerely hope that the education you have received in this great institution will help you in your journey of life. I hope it will make you productive and responsible citizens of India. I wish you well. I wish this University great success in its mission.

JAI HIND !