Kovind concerned over skewed gender ratio in IITs
Kharagpur (West Bengal), July 20 : President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday expressed concern over the skewed gender ratio in technical institutes of the country, particularly at the IITs, and stressed the need for more participation of girl students in higher education. particularly in science and technology.
Addressing the 64th Convocation of IIT-Kharagpur, he said it should be a national priority to get more girl students in technical institutes and the IIT community must take the lead.
"Without meeting this challenge and without providing the necessary opportunities for our girl child and young women, the development of Indian society can never be possible," the President said.
He pointed out that while over 1.6 lakh students appeared for the IIT Joint Entrance Examination, only 30,000 of them were girls.
In undergraduate class of IIT, 10,878 students got admission, out of them only 995 were girls. "After that 11,653 students were enrolled among which only 1,925 were girls which is a little above 16 per cent which is not acceptable at all," he said.
"IIT Kharagpur must act, because it is located in a state (West Bengal) that has historically produced illustrious women achievers who have contributed a great deal to nation building and to our society."
Pointing to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was also present on the dais, he said: "We are fortunate that one of them, Mamata Banerjee, is present with us today."
However, Kovind also mentioned that IIT Kharagpur has the largest percentage of women in leadership roles among all IITs, which can inspire junior girl students.
In this context, the President referred to the Infosys Foundation that funds women researchers attending major international conferences. "This is a good step but a long term process," he said.
He also unveiled the plaque of a girls' hostel and a guest house in the name of one of his predecessors A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi was also present on the occasion.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Badlapur accused Akshay Shinde shot dead: Lawyer of minor girls calls it 'killing of justice'
Mumbai (PTI): The gunning down of Badlapur case accused Akshay Shinde on Monday was the "killing of justice", said Asim Sarode, lawyer for the two minor girls he allegedly sexually assaulted.
Shinde was killed near Mumbra Bypass around 6:15pm when he allegedly snatched the gun of a policeman while he was being ferried in a police vehicle as part of a probe into a case registered on the complaint of his former wife.
After he shot and injured an API, another personnel from the escort team fired at him, and he was declared dead by doctors at a nearby hospital.
"While representing the two minor girls, I noticed it was becoming uncomfortable for the local politics of the Thane district and even for the educational institution where Akshay Shinde was working. Shinde's death in such a manner is killing of justice," Sarode told a regional news channel.
"Now, the case of sexual assault of the two minor girls will get sidelined. The case of these two minor girls was becoming difficult for the educational institute, as it is affiliated with a certain political family. Such a practice would lower the confidence of people in police and the judiciary," he claimed.
Sarode said he will be filing a plea before the Bombay High Court demanding thorough inquiry into the firing incident.
"Shinde's case could have brought up certain aspects that would have been negative politically for the government. I wonder how Shinde could access the gun and how he could unlock it when his hands were tied. This is political murder and is absolutely wrong," he said.
