- President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the importance of women's empowerment at Punjab University
- She emphasizes Women's role in elevating Family & Society
- Women outperformed men in over 80 percent of the courses at Punjab University
President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the importance of women empowerment, observing that an educated woman not only elevates her family but also works towards a better society. Addressing Punjab University's 72nd convocation, she observed that even though the university has a virtually equal male-female ratio, women performed better than men in more than 80 percent of the courses.
"While I congratulate all the students, I particularly commend the girl students for their excellent performances. An educated woman benefits her family and society as well," Murmu said. She also complimented Olympian and student of Punjab University Manu Bhaker, who received the PU Khel Ratna, adding that women like them become role models for the coming generations. "I urge women to achieve not only in studies, but also in sports and other areas," she added.
Droupadi Murmu is the sixth Indian President to preside over Punjab University convocation, after Rajendra Prasad (1951), Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy (1981), Giani Zail Singh (1985), APJ Abdul Kalam (2007), and Pranab Mukherjee (2015). Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini were also present at the event.
The convocation also honored some illustrious people with honorariums of great stature. Math whiz RJ Hans Gill was bestowed with the Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa), social worker Sushri Nivedita Raghunath Bhide was given the Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa). Others were Gurtej Singh Sandhu, who was given the Vigyan Ratna, Harmohinder Singh Bedi with the Sahitya Ratna, Pushvinder Jit Singh with the Udyog Ratna, and Jaspinder Narula with the Kala Ratna.
Amongst the scholar awardees, Sukhjot Kaur was awarded the Abhishek Sethi Memorial Cash Award of Rs. 30,000 for her excellent performance in BE Computer Science and Engineering. Furthermore, Balwinder Raj and Munish Kumar were both awarded the Shiv Nath Rai Kohli Memorial Mid-Career Best Scientist Award worth a cash prize of Rs. 50,000.
