President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday, 23 September called for greater recognition of women's contributions to India — both within and outside formal employment — while addressing the 75th convocation of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Vadodara. Highlighting that girls outnumbered boys among degree recipients at the event, she urged the nation to rethink how it values women's work.

Women Outnumber Men at Convocation

Murmu said she was encouraged to see that daughters formed the majority among students receiving degrees, and that women also outnumbered men in the university's overall student body. 'This is the changing picture of India, which is visible in most higher educational institutions across the country,' she said. The President described the growing participation of women across different fields as a sign that India was moving towards inclusive development.

Workforce Gap Is Not a Reflection of Ability

While celebrating women's academic achievements, Murmu drew attention to the persistent gap between their educational attainment and their representation in formal professions. She noted that women were earning degrees and gold medals in large numbers, yet their presence in fields such as teaching and medicine did not always match those academic outcomes. 'It is not because they are not intelligent. It is not because they cannot work for the country,' she said firmly, adding that such women were contributing in other vital ways — 'in building the next generation.'

Homemakers Are Also Nation-Builders

The President argued that women who remain at home to raise and educate children deserve equal acknowledgement as contributors to national progress. 'Staying at home, educating their children and preparing them for their future — this is also work for the country,' she said. She extended her thanks to women 'whether you are visible in the workforce or not,' framing unpaid domestic labour as a form of service to the country's future.

Degrees, Diplomas and Gold Medals Awarded

The convocation saw 229 Doctor of Philosophy, 2,857 Masters, 8,863 Bachelors, and 657 Post Graduate Diploma candidates declared qualified for their respective degrees and diplomas. Murmu offered special congratulations to gold medallists and acknowledged the sacrifices of parents and guardians, as well as the guidance of university teachers.

Young India's Role in Viksit Bharat 2047

Murmu also underscored the importance of young people in achieving India's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. 'Today, 65 per cent of the country's population is young,' she said, expressing confidence that their enterprise would carry the country forward. She specifically called for an India by 2047 where women have the opportunity to realise their full potential, framing gender equity as inseparable from national development. The convocation sets a precedent for how India's universities can spotlight the broader conversation on women and workforce equity.