The State Minister for higher education, cooperative and dairy development, Dhan Singh Rawat has said that in the field of women empowerment, Uttarakhand is way ahead of other States. He was addressing the inaugural session of a one day workshop, ‘Role of women in social assimilation’ at MKP PG College here on Saturday. The workshop was organised by Devbhoomi Vichar Manch under aegis of Tehri Hydro development Corporation India Limited. Rawat claimed that the national average of the girls opting for higher education after doing class XII is 24 percent but in Uttarakhand this percentage is staggering 41 percent which is highest in India.
He further claimed that out of four lakh students studying in 500 colleges and 33 universities of state 63 percent are girls. Giving another example of women emancipation and empowerment in Uttarakhand, the minister said that 59 percent of the newly appointed 173 assistant Professors in the government colleges of the state are women. Rawat also informed that in the recent recruitment drive of assistant professors about 63000 candidates have applied out of which 39,000 are women which shows the level of education in the state. The Minister added that the state has reserved 50 percent of seats in the panchayat raj system for women and the state government has banned entry of Pradhan Pati (husbands of women panchayat representatives) in board meetings. Remembering Gora Devi, Tilu Rauteli and Tenchri Mai for their roles in environment conservation, bravery and prevention of substance abuse respectively, Rawat said that the women in Uttarakhand have been respected and they have played key roles in society since ancient times.
The Chancellor (VC) of the Punarutthan Vidyapeeth, Indumati Katdare said that the Euro American system of education has become mainstream education system in the India. She emphasised that there is a need to bring the system based on India philosophy of life into mainstream education of our country. Katdare also highlighted the need to revive the ‘Kutumb (extended Indian family) for inculcating values and cultural ethos. She said that the housewife is the axis on which the family functions.
Social worker from Mumbai, Geeta Tai said that the women should have role in every field without discrimination. She added that there is no difference between a man and a woman barring physical difference.
The President of the MKP society Jitendra Singh Negi welcomed the guests.
In the concluding session, noted author and screen writer Advaita Kala said that a clear difference between women and men in every sector and there is need to bridge this gap.