Address by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu at the G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science (for Women)

I am delighted to visit the G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science for Women today. I congratulate all the stakeholders of the Institute for celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year. It is heartening to see a huge gathering of young and spirited women engineers here today.

I am told that women of Mahila Dakshata Samithi are also present here today. I am happy to know that students belonging to weaker sections are pursuing higher education through this Samithi. I am told that Mahila Dakshata Samithi provides all-round support to women. The colleges under the Samithi develop, care, nurture and empower under-privileged women.

Dear students,

I am happy to know that the G. Narayanamma Institute is providing education to thousands of girl students. This institute has, over the years, opened up opportunities to many young women to enter the world of technology as a professional. I am told that the Institute has won awards and recognitions from Institutions of repute. The Institute has also been chosen as a centre of excellence by Apple Company for MAC lab-based training which is one of the first few of its kind in the world. I hope that GNITS will use this opportunity to make students industry-ready.

I am happy to know that the world’s biggest International Space Apps Challenge in collaboration with NASA INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE IN 2022 was conducted at GNITS with the goal of providing relevant solutions to global needs. Teams of GNITS won medals in this international challenge. I congratulate the students who won the medals.

I am told that the college has taken several initiatives for holistic development of the students such as Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Club,Women Safety programmes with SHE teams of Telangana Police and promoting fitness culture among staff and students.

National Education Policy 2020 aims at making India a global knowledge superpower and is based on the four pillars of Access, Equity, Quality and Accountability. A more flexible, holistic and multidisciplinary education system can bring out more creativity and enhance learning capabilities of students. I would also highlight here that the policy underlines the need for encouraging research and development.

Dear students

Engineers have made major contributions in every sector including healthcare, agriculture, education, banking, marketing and telecommunication. Engineering and technology are closely connected. Engineering has played a big role in technological advancements including computers, medical equipments, internet, smart devices and digital payment systems. The role of engineering as a profession becomes very critical in today’s world where unthinkable and unprecedented problems need quick and sustainable solutions.

You have the power to make the world a better place. The solutions that you find and technologies that you will create in future should be people-oriented and environment-friendly. Recently at COP 27, India reiterated its vision of a safe planet in a one-word Mantra – LiFE which stands for Lifestyle for Environment. We have been achieving our climate targets and upgrading them. We are taking new initiatives in renewable energy, e-mobility, ethanol-blended fuels, and green hydrogen. These initiative scan start producing better results on ground through technological innovations. The Covid Pandemic has shown that people can adopt and learn new technologies quite fast. In fact, the development and administration of Covid vaccines to a large population in a time-bound manner is nothing but a miracle of technology.

Dear students

Technology in today’s world has social, economic, political, educational, environmental and geo-political dimensions. It is continuously evolving and impacting every arena. I hope you would come out with innovative technologies for the benefit of public at large and improve the quality of life of the people. You should also think about engineering solutions for the disadvantaged sections, senior citizens, divyang persons and other people who need special support.

A few days back, in a meeting with Shri Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, I emphasized on the need of universal digital literacy in India. We know that mobile phones, internet and unlimited information have reached every corner of the world. People are using technology like never before. But it is necessary that it is put to productive use which is possible through digital literacy.

Dear students

Women have made great contributions in engineering and technology. We have examples of many in spiring women who are heading big companies, have launched start-ups and are contributing in a major way in all fields such as telecom, IT, aviation, machine design, construction works, Artificial intelligence and other areas. Here I would like to mention that sometimes women are not able to continue their careers due to domestic constraints and other issues. I urge you all to overcome challenges that come your way and rise in your careers.

More women need to come forward to take up science streams. STEM that is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics is vital to the Indian economy. Nurturing young women as technocrats and innovators can lead the country towards a stronger economy. Women bring different perspective and skill-sets in tech fields. Cognitive abilities of women can change the way knowledge and technologies are perceived at various levels.

Dear students,

Be empowered and empower others too. Don’t be satisfied just with your own success and happiness. You have a duty towards the nation and humanity as a whole. You should use your talent and technological capabilities for the larger good. Benefits of technology should reach the remotest areas and the poorest of the poor. Technology must be used to remove the social, economic and digital divides. You are the levers through which we can leap into an inclusive, eco-friendly, smart and technology –driven future. In short, technology should be used as an instrument of social justice.

I wish you all a very bright and successful future.

Thank you! 
Jai Hind! 
Jai Bharat!