Hans News Service Chittoor

FormerVice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu said that education for girls is not only a right but also a strong foundation for the development of society.

He called upon everyone to work towards building an educated and empowered women’s community. Venkaiah was speaking as the chief guest at the convocation ceremony of NP Savithramma Government Women’s College in Chittoor on Thursday.

On this occasion, he inaugurated newly constructed buildings on the college campus.

He said women’s empowerment can be achieved mainly through education and educating women helps reduce infant mortality, improves family health, strengthens child nutrition, and creates better educational opportunities for future generations. According to him, these changes contribute to solving many social problems.

Venkaiah added that true empowerment of women requires a change in social thinking. Expressing concerns that even 75 years after Independence, there is still a need to speak separately about women’s education and empowerment, he appreciated the Government of India’s ‘Beti Bachao – Beti Padhao’ initiative and said empowering women, who make up nearly 50 percent of the population, can provide solutions to many national challenges.

District Collector Sumit Kumar said around 900 students are currently studying at the college.

He noted that a new hostel building, constructed with donor support at a cost of about Rs 40 lakh, will provide safe accommodation for 200 students and help reduce their financial burden.

Chittoor MLA Gurajala Jaganmohan, Puthalapattu MLA K Murali Mohan, College Planning and Development Committee (CPDC) Secretary N P Venkateswara Chowdary and CHUDA Chairperson Katari Hemalatha spoke on the occasion.

Former MP Durga Ramakrishna, CPDC member Sailaja Tejomurthi, college Principal Dr K Manohar, Vice-Principal Dr G Usharani, faculty members, students, and parents attended the programme