President Pratibha Patil on Saturday favoured education to every girl child and asked parents, teachers and community leaders to ensure that.
JODHPUR: President Pratibha Patil on Saturday favoured education to every girl child and asked parents, teachers and community leaders to ensure that.
"There is a lot to be done in the field of education. Though the literacy rate in the country is 64.8 per cent, only 54.1 per cent women are literate. We have to enhance the literacy rate of women," Patil said during the inauguration of a school at Lordi, 39 km from here.
She said everyone should make efforts to make available education to poor children in every nook and corner of the country.
"We have to reduce school dropout rates and must emphasise on girl education," she said.
Quoting first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Patil said when a boy gets education, a person becomes literate. But when a girl gets education, the whole family becomes literate.
"An educated woman can ensure better upbringing of a child, she can give better culture, high moral value and can motivate a child for high goals. In this way a woman can contribute immensely for the progress of the society as well as the country," she said.
Asking children to attend school regularly, the President said when a child attends school regularly, it helps in development of his personality, he becomes sincere and obedient and obtain the attitude of jointmanship (togetherness).
Patil asked parents, especially mothers to send their children to school regularly and encourage their neighbours to do the same. "Education makes a child a good citizen".
She also appealed to the teachers to become the role model of students.
The President also emphasised on vocational education as the country lacks good technicians like plumber, mechanic, carpenter and driver.
If women remain weak, then the country cannot progress. "We have to empower the women because when they become strong, the country will be stronger," she said.
The school which Patil inaugurated is promoted by Bharti Foundation and also has contribution by Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Later, Patil dedicated a road in the memory of renowned Jurist and former Indian High Commissioner to Britain L M Singhvi. She also unveiled a bust of the late jurist.
While addressing the gathering, Patil remembered the contribution of Singhvi and urged that his work should not be forgotten.
Calling poverty, illiteracy and backwardness as the major challenges for country's development, the President urged the citizens and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to pitch in with their efforts.
Patil also asked the young to obtain higher education, high moral values and become good human beings.
The President exuded confidence that India will soon be a superpower.
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