VIJAYAWADA: Education is a weapon that helps girls fight atrocities against women like gender discrimination, asserted Vemula Radhika, mother of Rohith Vemula, a research scholar who committed suicide in the University of Hyderabad in January last year for alleged discrimination.
In her inaugural speech of Student Federation of India (SFI)’s 5th All India Girls’ Convention, which got underway in Vijayawada Friday, Radhika said that she was overwhelmed and honoured for being invited to such a programme. “It is the first time that I am attending such a function. I am not much educated, but my advice to all the girls present here is: you study well and complete your PhDs. Knowledge is the only weapon that effectively helps one combat the crimes being committed against women. Girls need education so incidents like the murder of law student Jisha don’t recur in future,” she said.
Radhika, who stood as an inspiration for many with her relentless struggles seeking justice for her departed son Rohith Vemula, thanked all those who supported for the cause.
“Without a woman, nothing is complete and a woman can do anything. Education is the solution to the plethora of women’s issues and girls should never give it up,” she summed up. Though the speech was short and simple, her message was loud and clear: “girls/women should adopt the never-die approach, become strong by getting educated and never give up their dreams and aspirations for any.” A loud cheer that went up in the auditorium with cries of ‘Red Salute’ was an indication that many had understood what she meant.