Pics: Justin D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Mar 8: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) celebrated the International women's day with a theme DigitAll: Innovation and technology for gender equality on March 8.
Dr Vanita N Torvi, world ambassador for child rights International human rights observatory was the guest of honour for the international women's day celebrations.
Speaking on the occasion, she said, "MAHE is a global institution that branched out so many medical and technical branches across the globe. Manipal has also crossed more than 60 years of inception. I can see more women here rather than men. I thank Manipal for being a women friendly institution. International women's day is a day to commemorate all the women for their battle for justice, equality, progress and development and find a bread and butter for their life. It’s a salute to all women who are working and making wonders around the globe. It's not just a celebration, it is also valuing and respecting women and her achievement. Across the world Indian women are respected and honoured a lot. Worshipping Goddesses can be seen like a source of power and inspiration. 100 years ago women were not given that much importance. But gradually women started empowering. Pre-independence women's role was limited. By 21st century women have got equal opportunities along with the men. Today topmost, key most operating posts have been occupied by women. Women have grown in science and technology to an extent. She has been involved in every technology and any key points of it. Digital advancement and progress will be completed to the fullest by 2030, but amidst all of this digital crime is increased, women are portrayed in a negative way. Social media, profile hacking, photo morphing, dating scams, cybercrime and others are happening. Women have been suppressed due to these digital crimes. We need to be very careful when we move forward digitally. 30-40% of women working are slipping into depression. When we are digitally strong, we need to be digitally free and safe too. I call women to be strong and grown up and be safe from all these obstacles. We can make up a digital free India."
Vasanti R Pai, trustee MAHE delivered her presidential address through digital mode.
Indira S Ballal, philanthropist, Kusuma Venkatesh, educationist, Dr HS Ballal, pro chancellor, and Lt Gen Dr MD Venkatesh, vice chancellor were present on the occasion.
A symposium on the theme of international women's day was also held on the occasion. Aditi Bhaktha, technical lead, Chipsy Information Technology Services Private Limited Dr Vanita N Torvi, world ambassador for Child Rights International Human Rights Observatory Khyati Bhayana, co-founder and head R&D Meditek Private Limited and Jyotsna Budideti, CEO and co-founder at Space sense.ai, Paris participated as panel members. Prof Balakrishna Rao, director digital and IT MAHE coordinated the event. Dr Poornima Panduranga Kundapur, associate director students' welfare moderated the symposium.
Various cultural programmes were also presented on the occasion. Prizes were also distributed to the winners of competitions organised on the occasion of World Women's Day.
Dr Neeta Inamdar, head of centre for European studies, explained about the W20 conference and MAHE being an education partner for the W20 conference.
Dr Padma Rani, director MIC welcomed the gathering. Dr Geeta Maiyya, director studnets affairs MAHE proposed the vote of thanks. Dr Akhila Vasudev compered the event.