New Delhi: Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated a one-day Workshop for Women Leaders: Shaping Academic Excellence for VIKSIT Bharat @ 2047, organised by UGC, today in New Delhi. Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the North Eastern Region, Dr Sukanta Majumdar, was also present at the event. Secretary, Ministry of Education, Shri Sanjay Kumar; Chairman, UGC, Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar; Director General, Aeronautical Systems, DRDO, Dr. Rajalakshmi Menon; Vice Chairman, UGC, Prof. Deepak Kumar Srivastava; Director, IIT Delhi, Prof. Rangan Banerjee; and eminent dignitaries from across the country were also present at the event.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, while addressing the audience, highlighted how the workshop, aligning with the vision of NEP 2020, emphasises the empowerment of women at every level of education. He also mentioned that the workshop aims to showcase how women are elevating educational standards in higher education and also equip and inspire them for leadership roles.
Shri Pradhan also mentioned that Nari Shakti is a symbol of strength, resilience, and hope, and treating women with respect is an inherent value of Indian civilisation. Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he said how the government in the last 10 years, has led from the front to bring a transformative shift from women’s development to women-led development.
The Minister also noted that the emerging new world order will be driven by knowledge and women are breaking glass ceilings, challenging gender roles and their participation is increasing in all spheres, including in STEM. It is important to establish a level playing field for women in all spheres, he added. He also said that he was confident that the deliberations, dialogues, and experience sharing in the workshop would provide a roadmap for that.
Shri Pradhan emphasised that an Indian model of women empowerment has to be created to ensure that women belong to all decision-making structures and life choices. As we move towards realising the goal of Viksit Bharat, Nari Shakti will assume more decision-making roles, he said.
The Minister said that equality and empowerment of women alone can empower our society and nation.
