Women should become ‘expert mothers’ before becoming IAS officers: Anandiben Patel
Speaking at a university convocation, Patel urged women to continue their education after marriage, stressed parental responsibility and raised concerns over drug abuse
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Thursday (July 9) said women should strive to become "expert mothers" before aspiring to become IAS officers or teachers, emphasising family values, parental responsibility and character-building.
Addressing students, parents and faculty at the 41st convocation of Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), the governor, who is also the Chancellor of state universities, said professional success should not come at the cost of family responsibilities.
Stresses parental responsibility
She urged young women to continue their education and careers after marriage while contributing to the well-being of their families and society. "Whether you become an IAS officer or a teacher, first become an expert mother. Everyone should know how to prepare meals at home," she said.
Patel said daughters should not discontinue their education after marriage and should use their knowledge and skills for nation-building. She also asked parents not to consider their responsibility complete after securing admission for their children in schools or colleges.
"Parents should know what their children are doing after they enter educational institutions. Even a small lapse in supervision can adversely affect their future," she said.
Drug abuse concerns raised
Expressing concern over drug abuse around university hostels, Patel said a monitoring team constituted by the Jan Bhavan (formerly Raj Bhavan) had found instances where narcotics were allegedly being supplied through food delivery containers.
She said the network was immediately dismantled through administrative intervention.
Linking rising incidents of domestic violence and crimes against women with declining moral values, the governor said education should go beyond academic excellence.
"If degrees are increasing but society continues to witness such crimes, it reflects the true state of our education. Moral values are as important as academic knowledge," she said.
Degrees were conferred on 1,07,713 students at the convocation, with women securing nearly 82 per cent of the medals.
(With agency inputs)