Speech by Her Excellency the President of India, Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil at the Inauguration of the 125th Year Celebrations of the Isabella Thoburn College at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

I am very happy to be here at the Isabella Thoburn College in Lucknow to celebrate its 125th Anniversary. I congratulate the management, staff, students and ex- students on this very important occasion. The College has many achievements to its credit and I would encourage it to continue with its work to impart value based quality education to its students.

The 19th and 20th Centuries in India were marked by many social and political developments. It was unlikely that women would have remained unimpacted by these. Social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, educationists like Swami Dayanand Saraswati and national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, were all instrumental in taking up women's causes, seeking their participation in various fields of activities, working to correct the prejudices that discriminated against them, and which prohibited and limited their role. Promoting women's education in India was very much at the forefront, which saw the first women's college - being established in Kolkata in 1879, with which Indian luminaries like Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar were associated. It was in this milieu that a woman of great courage and dedication arrived in Lucknow in the early months of 1870, from the United States of America, and worked to set-up a school in a small room in Aminabad Bazaar. Isabella Thoburn came to a land that she hardly knew, but with a strong commitment to spread education. Her dream - a goal which is important even today - was to empower women by bringing them education.

With growing demand for higher education, from such small beginnings, that gathering of a handful of students and some teachers became the Lucknow Women's College in July 1886. Over the next century and a quarter this College has developed into a well known institution. It has made many contributions to the cause of women's education in India. There is, however, the constant challenge to remain dynamic and relevant to the evolving needs of the times. I am happy to know that the management and faculty of this College have always strived to do so, by reviewing methodologies, strengthening academic programmes, building networks and exchanging knowledge. Education, indeed, is a continuous quest at this College.

It is said that the social condition of a nation can be gauged by the standing and status of its women, which in turn depends on their ability to take independent decisions on various issues influencing their individual lives and the environment they live in, as also to avail of opportunities that exist to realize their full potential. It is a proven fact that there is a strong correlation between women's education and their overall progress, including their economic development. If indeed, women are to find their rightful voice, it would only be possible if they are properly educated, and given training in skill building, which equips them to avail of income generating options. This would also greatly enhance their self-esteem and confidence. However, whenever the story of education is told, we are aware that pockets of illiteracy, lack of access to education and deprivation, continue to co-exist with success stories of women who have benefited from education. This should reinforce our commitment to pursue our goal of education for all, with greater vigour, if we are to build an equitable society.

What is the situation at present of women in our society? This is an important question and its answer, shall tell us where exactly women are on the road of empowerment, and how far and in what direction the country must move. A paradox of sorts exists as far as women in India are concerned. On the one hand, women have proved that they can undertake all types of missions and work - whether be it, scaling the Himalayas, going into space, serving in the Armed Forces or the Police, managing multi-national companies or small businesses, joining professions like medicine, engineering or teaching. We must be proud of these achievements. Yet, on the other hand, it is equally true that women face numerous challenges and discriminations emanating from social prejudices and social evils. For example, why are there still female foeticide incidents in society, why are girls considered as a burden, why the practice of dowry, why the helpless conditions of widows? All these issues are very much there on the horizon, and need to be handled by Governments, by society and by people themselves. I have come across many courageous examples of young girls in underdeveloped and distant areas with uneducated parents, rejecting child marriage, or the practice of dowry, or fighting against alcoholism. I have met members of organizations that are advocating the girl child as precious gift so essential for creating a balanced society. As young girls receiving education in a good college, I hope that you will stand up against social evils, and also help other women who are faced with the consequences of these practices. An issue of deep concern is the rising trend of crimes against women, in rural areas and in our cities. Families worry about the lack of security for women members of the family in India of the 21st Century. This deserves the fullest attention of law and order authorities, as also of all members of society who must together work to create a safe and secure environment for women. I think girls should be taught judo and karate to protect themselves.

To create stable societies women need to be empowered. Societies which understand this are not only able to deal with the changes needed for it, but can mould change itself. Empowerment of women has many hues and many aspects, but it translates into a single aspiration of creating conditions in society, where women are equal partners in the family unit, in society and the country. The concept of empowerment of women would have a very big impact on society. This would be so because, as we make progress on gender mainstreaming, more and more women will become full partners in the many activities of the nation and society. This is likely to generate another set of challenges, which would need our attention. Therefore, when a woman joins the workforce, we need to think of issues that can crop up regarding childcare support, balancing home and professional lives, and the impact on human relationships. We therefore, need approaches that are not only comprehensive, but also forward looking, so that challenges of an evolving society can be met.

It should be the endeavour of this College, and other colleges across the country, to work on these questions. Education should not be merely studying to pass examinations; instead it should also evolve a person to a responsible human being. It should create a burning desire to understand the environment in which we live and to find answers to issues, including those that appear to be difficult. I am happy to know that the goals and objectives of Isabella Thoburn College include strengthening and sustaining intellectual and scholastic standards, sensitizing students and instilling human values and a spirit of responsibility, teamwork and leadership.

I congratulate the Isabella Thoburn College on completing 125 years of service to education. I once again wish its management, faculty, and students the very best in the years ahead. My special congratulations also go to the Principal of the College, Dr. E.S. Charles, as she steers this institution to deliver knowledge to its students.

Thank you.

Jai Hind!