President Ram Nath Kovind expressed his concern over the fewer number of girls at the IITs of the country, calling the number ‘distressingly low’.
President Ram Nath Kovind expressed his concern over the fewer number of girls at the IITs of the country, calling the number ‘distressingly low’.
He made the remarks at the 64th annual convocation of the IIT Kharagpur in West Bengal, where Kovind was the chief guest, he said, “The IIT system has given every Indian many moments of happiness and pride. Yet there is one issue that continues to puzzle and concern me. When one considers board examinations at the secondary level, girls do very well. They often outscore boys. In colleges and universities that I visit across the country, in my capacity as President of India, I find that girl students tend to win more medals and awards than their male counterparts. Yet, when it comes to IITs, the intake of girl students is distressingly low.”
He cited the example of 2017 when out of about 1,60,000 students who appeared for the IIT Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced), there were 30,000 girls and among the 10,878 students who got admitted to the undergraduate class of premiere institute, only 995 were girls. “I have been told that 11,653 students are enrolled here at IIT Kharagpur. Only 1,925 are girls – a little over 16%,” he said and added, “This cannot go on. We need to do something about these numbers. The participation of women in higher education, in science and technology and in the workforce of our country has to rise to fair and acceptable levels within the coming decade. This should be a national priority, and the IIT community must take the lead. Without meeting this challenge and without providing the necessary opportunities for our girl children and our young women the development of Indian society can never be complete. This is as critical for social equality as it is for economic growth.”
Referring to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who was also present at the occasion at the guest of honour, he said, “IIT Kharagpur must act because it is located in a state that has historically produced illustrious women achievers who have contributed a great deal to nation building and to our society. We are fortunate that one of them, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is with us today. It is always a pleasure to meet her.”
Lauding the performance of IIT Kharagpur he said that it had the largest number of women in leadership roles and it must translate into more girl students as well.
Kovind laid the foundation stones for Savitribai Phule Girls’ Hostel and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam International Visitors’ Guest House, which he was hopeful would draw more girl students to IIT Kharagpur.
Mamata, congratulating the graduating students said they should not forget their country. “Don’t forget your country, your state or your teachers. Wherever you are, respect your motherland,” she said.
As many as 2616 students were awarded during the event.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Ram Nath Kovind at IIT Kharagpur")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}