Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the “She for STEM Uttarakhand” workshop held at Uttarakhand Technical University, Sudhowala (Premnagar, Dehradun) on the occasion of International Women and Girls in Science Day.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended his heartfelt greetings and best wishes to everyone on the occasion of International Women and Girls in Science Day and acknowledged all the dignitaries present at the workshop. Through the “She for STEM” special program, the Chief Minister awarded scholarships of ₹50,000 each to 20 talented girls from the state. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that under the “She for STEM” initiative, five female students in each district will receive scholarships. The Chief Minister also announced that financial resources will be provided to female students to launch STEM-related startups. Self-help groups will be integrated into women’s technology centers.
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that this program is inspiring promising women to pursue education and careers in STEM fields, i.e., Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Meaningful efforts are being made to promote science, technology, and innovation in remote and marginalized areas and to connect women with modern technology.
The Chief Minister thanked all the organizers, including In-Mobi, Vigyanshala International, UCOST, and Uttarakhand Technological University, for the successful organization of this program and said that they played a crucial role in making this visionary initiative a success.
The Chief Minister said that Indian history bears witness to the fact that women’s power has not been limited to social or family life, but has also been at the forefront of fields such as science, philosophy, astronomy, and medicine. In the Vedic period, scholars like Gargi and Maitreyi were pioneers in philosophical discourse, while Lilavati shaped the world in the field of mathematics. He mentioned that there is evidence of women’s contributions in the development of Ayurvedic texts such as the Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita.
The Chief Minister said that even in modern times, many women have brought glory to the country by making extraordinary contributions in the fields of science and technology. In pre-independence times, when it was challenging for women to even step out of their homes, Anna Mani made history by becoming India’s first female meteorologist and became known as the “Weather Woman of India.” She made invaluable contributions to the development of meteorology and scientific instruments. Similarly, Kamala Sohoni became the first woman in India to receive a PhD in science, proving that talent is beyond any constraints.
The Chief Minister said that in modern India, Dr. Tessy Thomas, known as the “Missile Woman of India,” has led important missile projects like the Agni-4 and Agni-5, elevating the country’s strategic capabilities to new heights. Additionally, Dr. Ritu Karidhal, known as the “Rocket Woman,” has made India proud on the global stage by playing a crucial role in the success of historic missions like Mangalyaan.
The Chief Minister said that the lives of all these great personalities convey the message that when women are given the opportunity, they not only pave their own path but also have the potential to give a new direction to the entire nation. He said that it is no coincidence that today, approximately 42-43 percent of students graduating in STEM fields in India are female, which is higher than in many developed countries. This statistic is proof that India’s daughters are advancing in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and are fully prepared to assume leadership roles.
He said that the need now is to give daughters opportunities, resources, and confidence to give wings to their dreams, so that they can contribute to their own future as well as the vision of a developed India.
Chief Minister Dhami stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi clearly believes that India’s progress in the twenty-first century will depend on scientific and technological innovation. He stated that under the Prime Minister’s visionary leadership, India has achieved unprecedented heights in the field of science and technology. Achievements such as the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, Chandrayaan-3, Aditya L1, and the Gaganyaan mission have given the country the opportunity to set new benchmarks.
The Chief Minister stated that under the Digital India campaign, advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing are being promoted, enabling India to play a leading role in the global technological revolution. The Prime Minister believes that the progress of any nation depends on the technological competence of half its population and their contribution to innovation.
The Chief Minister stated that with this vision, numerous steps have been taken to empower women and girls technologically. The Digital India campaign has promoted digital literacy among women. Various schemes are being implemented at the national level to increase the participation of girls in STEM education. Inspiring girls from class 9 to 12 through Vigyan Jyoti programme
