Prez recommends enrollment of more girls in technical educational institutions

Chandigarh: In order to boost the nation's prosperity, President Droupadi Murmu declared on Sunday that there should be more girls enrolled in technical schools.

Speaking at Punjab Engineering College's (PEC) 52nd convocation and concluding ceremony of its 100th anniversary year festivities in Chandigarh, she praised PEC alumnus Kalpana Chawla for becoming the first woman astronaut of Indian descent and for her inspiring legacy of self-sacrifice for science.

She was happy to note that the Kalpana Chawla Chair of Geospatial Technology is established in PEC.

The President said she was happy to note that PEC has provided many luminaries to the country in the fields of technology, industry, civil services, education and research, which include the former Chairman of ISRO and father of experimental fluid dynamics research in India, Prof Satish Dhawan; eminent educationist and founder-Director of IIT, Delhi, Prof R.N. Dogra; an expert in Missiles Technology and Strategic Systems, Dr Satish Kumar.

Speaking to the graduating students, the president said she had no doubts about their ability to turn opportunities into success and possibilities into certainties because they were entering a world of limitless options and possibilities.

She advised them to never forget their duties towards the motherland, whatever they choose to become in their life.

She said they are the builders of India of tomorrow. It is expected from them that they will use the knowledge acquired in this prestigious institution in the service of humanity too. She urged them to keep Mahatma Gandhi's message of 'Sarvodaya' in their individual priorities. She said it is the moral duty of every citizen, especially the youth, to put into practice the values of the father of the Nation'.

Just before the convocation ceremony of PEC, the President inaugurated the newly constructed building of UT Chandigarh Secretariat.

The President said that established in Lahore in 1921, PEC has emerged as a leading institute for research and contributed to global technological change, IANS reported.

It is a premier institute of the country as well as a harbinger of technical education in this region. The National Education Policy -- 2020 states that a good educational institution is one in which every student is welcomed and cared for and where an inspiring environment with good infrastructure and appropriate resources exists.

She was happy to note that PEC has all these qualities. She expressed confidence that this college will continue to strive towards excellence.

A day earlier, President Murmu witnessed a spectacular fly-past and air display over the Sukhna Lake as part of the 90th-anniversary celebrations of the Indian Air Force.

This was the President's maiden visit to Chandigarh since she assumed office in July.