By Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
It has been my privilege, as the head of India’s vast education system comprising over 330 million students and more than 10 million teachers, to attend convocation ceremonies at various educational institutions across the country. At these events, I have clearly observed that our daughters are excelling in every field. For example, at the convocation ceremony of Avadh University, nearly 200,000 degrees were awarded, with over 60% going to female students. Among the gold medal recipients, 63 out of 89 (almost 70%) were women, and in many institutions, this percentage exceeded 75%. This achievement is not limited to higher education alone; women have also demonstrated exceptional capabilities in administrative services, science, sports, entrepreneurship, and the armed forces.
Furthermore, the United Nations’ Women Flagship Report (2019-2020) explicitly states that achieving sustainable development goals depends on promoting gender equality within families. What the world is now recognising has been an integral part of our culture for centuries. Vedanta philosophy clearly asserts that the same soul resides in all beings, emphasising that there should be no discrimination between men and women. Swami Vivekananda also advocated for gender equality, stating, “A nation that does not respect its women can never progress.” Developed nations have built their success and prosperity by ensuring equal opportunities and respect for women.
The entire structure of society and the success of men are deeply intertwined with women. Behind every successful man is the inspiration of a woman. Women play a crucial role in every aspect of life—whether in success or failure, profit or loss. A child’s first teacher is his mother, and if mothers instil strong values, society, in turn, will develop strong character. This is why women’s education is not just beneficial but essential.
A historic step toward women’s empowerment was taken by the Indian government with the decision to implement 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures. This constitutional amendment is not merely a law but a symbol of a social revolution. It will increase women’s participation in politics, enabling them to contribute to policy-making and governance. This will make democracy more inclusive and balanced, ensuring that women’s voices are directly heard in Parliament and state assemblies.
The government is also taking significant steps to promote women’s empowerment through initiatives such as ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, ‘Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana’, ‘Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Yojana’, ‘One Stop Centre Scheme’, ‘Women Helpline Scheme’, ‘Nirbhaya Scheme’, ‘Mahila e-Haat’, ‘Mahila Shakti Kendra’, and ‘Swadhar Greh Scheme’. The government has made remarkable progress in preventing human trafficking, rescuing victims, and ensuring their rehabilitation.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government is making comprehensive efforts at all levels for the holistic development of women. As a result, positive changes in women’s roles in society are evident. There is hardly any field where women have not made their presence felt. The success of schemes like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, ‘Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana’, ‘Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Yojana’, and ‘Rajiv Gandhi Scheme (Sabla)’ for adolescent girls’ empowerment is now clearly visible.
The government is implementing special programs to promote education, health, and entrepreneurship among women. Compared to 2013-14, female enrolment in schools increased by 25% in 2018-19, which is a matter of pride. In the Union Budget 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, women’s empowerment—particularly in entrepreneurship—has been prioritised. The budget includes several key provisions aimed at making women financially self-reliant and enhancing their business opportunities. Special loan schemes have been introduced for women starting their own businesses, enabling them to secure capital and become independent.
For women working in the unorganised sector, healthcare facilities have been expanded to include maternity benefits, health insurance, and easy access to medical services. The goal of this budget is not just to make women financially capable but also to encourage their greater participation and leadership roles in society. These initiatives will foster women’s entrepreneurship and ensure their significant contribution to the country’s economic progress.
India’s Constitution guarantees equal rights to women and mandates the state to take proactive measures for their empowerment. Our cultural heritage has always upheld gender equality. Whenever women have been held back in India, the country has paid a heavy price. History proves that when women are educated and empowered, both society and the nation thrive.
Today, the Indian government is fully committed to women’s empowerment. Initiatives like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, ‘Women Helpline Scheme’, ‘Ujjwala Yojana’, ‘STEP Scheme’, ‘Mahila Shakti Kendra’, and reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions are proving to be milestones in women’s development. Women’s education is the foundation of a nation’s success and progress. It is not just important for the socio-economic development of families, societies, and nations—it is essential.
Women’s education is a powerful tool that has the potential to change the world. A new chapter in the construction of New India can be written only when every daughter is educated and capable of competing at the global level. The government is fully committed to making daughters self-reliant, confident, and successful. There is no doubt that women’s education will act as a catalyst for the social and economic development of New India.
(The author is former Union Education Minister & former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand)
