HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, March 14: The Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment, Dr Ramdas Athawale, said that women are doing well in every field and they should get reservations in both the houses of the Parliament. Dr Athawale was addressing students and faculty members of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya on Tuesday at the Central Auditorium of the University. He also paid floral tribute at the statue of Baba Saheb Ambedkar at the USTM campus.
Addressing a big gathering of students and teachers, the minister said, “Women are doing well everywhere; they must get reservations in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. If women are educated, the entire society will be educated, and eventually, the nation will be educated.”
Dr Athawale invited USTM to send students’ names for scheduled caste scholarships and assured them that the government would help. He said he was extremely delighted to see the beautiful campus of USTM and offered a helping hand for the development of the University.
During the interactive session, USTM Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque submitted a project proposal on “I Can I Will Academy: A Higher Educational Residential Institute for Divyangjan Students”. The ‘I Can I Will Academy’ was started by USTM in 2018 – a flagship initiative of the University where flexible courses were introduced for differently-abled persons. The proposal includes residential facilities that will cater to the special needs of the divyangjan students.
Earlier, welcoming the Union minister and others present, Mahbubul Hoque said that Dr Athwale’s acceptance of the invitation from USTM within a day’s notice shows his strong affinity with educational institutions. “His humble background with a long inspiring journey motivates many”. He said that the ‘I Can I Will Academy’ is a priority project of USTM. In the coming days, we will also request other organisations to come forward and adopt at least 20 physically challenged persons in their respective organisations.
Offering the vote of thanks, Prof GD Sharma, Vice Chancellor of USTM, said that the USTM is the result of the continuous hard work and perseverance of its founder Chancellor M Hoque.