SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE 58TH CONVOCATION OF SHREEMATI NATHIBAI DAMODAR THACKERSEY WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY (SNDT)

Mumbai, 7th February, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be at the SNDT University in Mumbai on the occasion of its 58th Convocation. The first women's University in the country and now one of the leading institutes imparting higher education to women, carries with it a noble history. It grew out of the vision and zeal of Maharishi Dhondo Keshav Karve, a social reformer who wished to see women as equal partners of men in society; and the philanthropy of Sir Vithaldas Thackersey, a wealthy industrialist. Those who put others before their own interest are always remembered by society and the SNDT has the unique good fortune of being the creation of two such persons.

Maharishi Karve worked ceaselessly with a missionary zeal for the upliftment of women. Maharishi Karve used to say, and I quote, "as far as the question of status and rights of women are concerned, I will never accept defeat, as I do not believe that women have a lesser capacity to learn." Unquote. He, however, realized that without adequate training and preparation women could not fulfill their role in the family or in society. Thus, for him the education of women was of paramount importance. This led to his setting-up a system of schooling for widows and other destitute women. Slowly and steadily, the school grew into a well-established institution. After reading a book on the Japanese Women's University in Tokyo, sent to him by his friends, he launched the Indian Women's University in Pune in 1916, with the enrolment of five students. A good cause seldom lacks support and hence, financial help was forthcoming. Impressed by Maharishi's commitment, Sir Vithaldas Thackersey, who was also a champion of women's education, generously offered Rs. 15 lakh, as a gift, to commemorate the memory of his loving mother, Nathibai. This would become a turning point. This institution shifted to Mumbai in 1936 and by 1951 received statutory recognition and became known as the Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University or popularly as the SNDT.

By providing young women with higher learning, the SNDT is performing one of the most important tasks for society. One cannot think of a well informed society, until its women are educated. Our goal should be to expand the reach of education and ensure that opportunities to learn are within the reach of all women and girls. Education is that basic input that can exponentially help in the development of women, who are almost half of our human resource. I 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.

Education empowers individuals not only to take their own decisions and earn a living, but also prepares them to fulfill their diverse responsibilities in life. Education enables women to effectively participate in the affairs of the country and, indeed, in their own family. A woman's role extends from being an important member of the family - daughter, wife, and mother - to being a determinant of social development and building the nation. The capacity to contribute increases immensely when the family environment is stable. This requires all members of the family to understand each other and create bonds of love and trust. Like every member of the family, women contribute to creating a stable family structure and they, in turn, benefit from the support that they receive. Women have been more successful when they receive support of their families. As young women when you go out into the world, always remember your role in the family. As mothers, you would have a primary role in the bringing up of a future generation. A woman has been endowed with a special gift from nature to give tender love to her children and family and to keep the cord of love strong amongst relations, which binds the family into a loving, healthy and cultured family. Therefore, the English saying, "God created Mother because he could not be present everywhere". Many of the values and approaches in life are learnt by a child from the mother. Women, therefore, are often described as transmitters of knowledge and architects of the future. Educated women tend to provide better guidance to their children and also promote education of their girl children. Women contribute to the development of a good family, a compassionate society, a progressive nation and a more tolerant world. This role is very important in society, which a woman should never forget.

Educated women can be an effective voice for articulating women related causes. They can be the voices in the fight against social evils like female feoticide, child marriage, dowry and addictions, as well as against the discrimination and biases that exist in society against women. They can be the advocates for improved working conditions for women, gender equality and welfare of women. Educated women can help other women to become self-reliant and self-confident. They can counsel other women as well as share experiences about career choices, employment opportunities, and business enterprises and also in matters like nutrition and childcare. If the women of India work in this collective and collaborative spirit, change would be inevitable and change would be that which recognizes, in full measure, the talent and potential of women.

Women's participation in the political and economic activities of a society enriches the fabric of a nation. Many women in India have reached high positions and many others are doing well in different spheres and even in professions once unthinkable for women. I am, however, conscious about the constraints and difficulties that they face in realizing their full potential and my deep concern continues to be that women still do not have the same opportunities as men. Real development cannot take root on a sustainable basis, unless it is inclusive of women. For achieving our objective of growth with equity and delivery of services with people's participation, the mainstreaming of women into the national development process is essential. Our efforts to empower women through education, awareness and opportunities must continue.

I am happy that that the SNDT is taking new educational initiatives. Your Mobile Education Programme, which harnesses latest technology to make educational services available on mobile sets is, indeed, noteworthy. You are also running a Centre for Rural Development, an experiment of taking university education to rural areas. Every attempt to make education accessible to marginalized women and to take it to the grass roots level deserves appreciation. I would especially encourage work in gender sensitization, legal and family counseling services, health camps for women to identify diseases specific to women, as well as providing guidance on nutrition. Your experiences should be documented and this data would become useful study material. I have noticed that research on women's issues is limited. For example, if one were to look for an analysis about the "economic cost" of child marriage, it would be difficult to get it. Universities have a role in promoting studies on gender related issues.

Dear students, as you leave this University, that has nurtured and trained you over the past few years, you must carry the zeal of the founders of SNDT, to whatever your calling. As women who have benefited from higher education, at an institution, whose motto is - an enlightened woman is the source of infinite power. Education provides each one of you with the ability to face challenges. You must, therefore, face such challenges with a determined resolve, just like Maharishi Karve did more than a century ago, when he began his work. You are now the torchbearers and the vanguard of change. You should also think of others first, just as Sir Vithaldas Thackersey did and help anyone facing the dire consequences of social evils. I am sure that through such an approach, the foundations of a society, in which men and women work together shoulder to shoulder, with a feeling of respect, can be laid.

This University has a noble mission to carry forward the work initiated by Maharashi Karve of lighting lamps of knowledge and educating women. With this, I convey my good wishes to the students, professors and lecturers of this University. I would also like to thank the University for conferring on me the Honaris Causa.

Thank you.

Jai Hind.