Amid nationwide outrage over theDelhi gangrape, President Pranab Mukherjee today called forchanging "negative perceptions" about women and said theyshould be provided a safe, secure and congenial environment inwhich their talents can prosper.
"We as a society must work towards changing negativeperceptions about women. Women must be treated with respectand should be provided a safe, secure and congenialenvironment in which their talents can flower and they cancontribute their full share in the building of our nation,"Mukherjee said.
He was addressing the special Convocation of Banaras HinduUniversity here organised to mark the concluding ceremony ofbirth centenary of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.
Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav was conferred honorarydoctorate of law at the convocation also attended by UnionCulture Minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch, Union Minister ofState for Finance Namo Narayan Meena, UP Governor B L Joshiand Chancellor of the university Karan Singh.
Describing Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviaya astatesman, scholar, educationist, journalist, social reformerand legislator, the President said his contribution to themaking of modern India has been immense and varied.
"Malaviyaji dedicated his whole life in the service of thenation. He was a great votary of women's education. Hisemphasis on women's education and empowerment should inspireus to redouble efforts in this regard," Mukherjee said.
The President also unveiled the foundation stone of Centrefor Inter-Cultural Studies and Centre for Human Values andStudies.
He also launched a website on Mahamana on the occasion.
"It is a happy moment for all of us that we are commemoratingthis event by conferring the highest degree of the Universityon the Hon'ble President of Nepal, a country with which Indiahas deep cultural affinity and historical ties," Mukherjeesaid.
Terming universities as fountainhead of knowledge,Mukherjee said they will have to discover fresh perspectivesand assume new responsibilities to meet the imperatives ofholistic human and social development.
In his address, the Nepalese President thanked theuniversity for conferring the honour on him and said Varanasihas been a key link and source of cultural bonding betweenNepal and India.
"I thank Banaras Hindu University and India for thisgreat honour," Yadav said.
Recalling Malviya's vision for banishing illiteracy andfog of communalism, Mukherjee said "the fact that illiteracystill remains to be banished and the fog of communalism is yetto vanish, reminds us of the unfinished task ahead of us".