President lauds women’s progress in country

Anupam Pateriya

President Ramnath Kovind on Saturday had fulsome praise for the way women were moving ahead in all spheres of their lives in the country.

Speaking at the Sadguru Kabir Mahotsav programme at Dr Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar on Saturday the president said, “People now talk about reservation for women, but a time will come when people will talk about reservation for men,“ to which the packed audience clapped and cheered the president.

Lauding Anandi Ben Patel, the state’s governor for her good works Kovind said, “She always believed in simplicity and that is why during her wedding she asked the groom’s family to come with only five persons.”

The President said it was good to see women excelling in every sector and pointed out that of 11 students whom he had awarded, 10 were girls. “This shows women’s power” he urged people to stop dowry and other social evils.

He urged the students to take inspiration from Kabir’s teachings and incorporate it in their lives. Talking about the importance of Kabir, the President said, “Kabir led a humble and simple life, yet his teachings in which he attacked the narrow mindset of the people gave voice to the oppressed. This was remarkable in an era when the oppressed could never speak out against the oppressor.”

His influence was so great that even Guru Nanak, the first Sikh guru, quoted him in his preaching.