The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : “Promote research activities for women empowerment”

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Thursday, Feb 21, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

“Promote research activities for women empowerment”

Staff Reporter

The move will help them establish their rights: Ponmudi

MAKING A CALL: The Minister for Higher Education, K. Ponmudi, addressing a meeting in Mother Teresa University at Attuvampatti near Kodaikanal on Wednesday.

KODAIKANAL: Universities should encourage and promote research activities for women empowerment. They must strive hard to create political, economic and social awareness among women to enlighten them, according to K. Ponmudi, Minister for Higher Education.

He was delivering a special address after inaugurating a new building for Mother Teresa University at Attuvampatti near here on Wednesday.

Such activities and awareness alone would empower women and help them establish their rights. The Government had given several opportunities to women. But they hesitated to utilise them, owing to fear and lack of awareness, he said.

Those wanted freedom alone should fight for it as no one would offer freedom to them.

Despite 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies, husbands of several women panchayat presidents had been acting as presidents.

What they needed was political awareness and change in the mindset, the Minister said.

Universities should not restrict themselves with mere issuing degree certificates and act as inspecting agency for colleges under their control.

They should formulate programmes to enlighten women and develop a better society, he said.

“Psychological change in women alone would make them brave and independent. Providing infrastructure to universities is Government’s responsibility. It would do it whenever necessary.”

In her address, Collector R. Vasuki advised students to use their knowledge for uplift of women.

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