The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee attended the 60th Founders Day Celebrations of Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior as the Chief Guest today (October 3, 2016) at Gwalior.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that he was happy to be present at the Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya on the occasion of six decades of establishment of the institution. He complimented Shrimati Vijaya Raje Scindia for the vision and courage of establishing an educational institution exclusively for girl children at a time when literacy amongst women in our country hovered around a meagre 10%. He also congratulated the Board of Governors of the Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya and expressed hope that the high standard set by its founders would be upheld in the future too.

The President said that he saluted women who courageously face every impediment in life to reach their goals and achievements. He said that they are the harbingers of change. He stated that today education is the alchemy that can take India to its next golden age. Hecalled upon teachers and all students present there to work towards and strive for democratisation of quality education.

The President said that education and learning are a lifelong process. He quoted Swami Vivekananda and said "Education which does not help the common mass of people to equip themselves for the struggle for life, which does not bring out strength of character, a spirit of philanthropy, and the courage of a lion- is it worth the name? Real education is that which enables one to stand on one’s own legs”.

This release issued 1940 hrs.