President Droupadi Murmu bets on education for women

Chennai: President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said educated women can make greater contribution to the economy, provide leadership in various sectors and make a positive impact on the society.

In her address at the 165th convocation of the University of Madras here, she said about 1.85 lakh students are currently studying in the varsity and its affiliated colleges and out of them more than 50 per cent are girls. "The University of Madras is a shining example of gender equality."

The President said "we are investing in the progress of our nation" by investing in the education of girls. Educated women can make greater contribution to the economy, provide leadership in various sectors and make a positive impact on the society, she underlined.

Congratulating the graduating students, Murmu said this region has been a cradle of civilisation and culture. "Tirukkural is guiding all of us for centuries."

The great bhakti tradition of poetry originated in Tamil Nadu and it was taken to the north of the nation by the wandering saints. The temple architecture of Tamil Nadu, and the statues and sculptures are a tribute to human excellence, she noted.

Earlier, Murmu was accorded a guard of honour at the Raj Bhavan.