E-Paper
Women have excelled through intellect and capability, says Rekha Sharma
Sharma was addressing the programme at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2019
Rekha Sharma, chairperson, National Commission for Women, in her keynote address during the Smiles (Stree as manager, innovator, leader, entrepreneur and scientist) workshop at Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pashan, emphasised the need for giving a thrust to change the mindset of society for the advancement of women.
She was addressing the programme at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2019 which was celebrated on two days (March 8 and 9) under the aegis of DRDO Women’s Forum. Rekha, who was the chief guest at the event, said that despite women being instrumental in achieving success in several fields, they still need to work relentlessly to prove their mettle.
“Most of the women are not corrupt. Many women have achieved excellent results in various fields of science. It proves their intellect and capability,” she said.
The main event of the two-day celebration was held on March 9.
The event was a workshop based on the theme ‘smiles’ in recognition of the multi-faceted roles played by working women, and their multitasking skills. Senior scientists and 250 delegates from 50 DRDO institutions attended the event. The workshop proceedings comprised 40 papers contributed by DRDO women which were released by the dignitaries.
KM Rajan, scientist and director, ARDE, gave the welcome address as a host of the programme. The guest of honour, Maj Gen (Dr) Madhuri Kanitkar, the first woman dean and deputy commandant of AFMC, gave a motivating talk requesting that the women should take care of their own health. She advised that women should grow together without growing apart.
The presidential address on behalf of DRDO was given by G Satheesh Reddy, secretary department of defence research and development and chairman DRDO.
He praised the contribution made by DRDO women and gave credit to its scientists for success of many noteworthy products.
He requested the DRDO women scientists to be at the forefront in delivering world-class technology to the country.
PK Mehta, director general (armament and combat engineering), lauded the multiple roles efficiently played by women in their professional and personal lives.
The afternoon session consisted of a presentation of three award-winning technical papers, followed by a panel discussion by eminent DRDO women scientists on the International Women’s Day 2019 theme “Balance for better”.