"The overall gender imbalance in our scientific and technological institutions continues to be a concern," he said. "A true test of India's progress is in the access and opportunities we provide to our daughters when it comes to education," Kovind said.He exuded confidence that this centre would enhance the country's capacity to produce high-quality women engineers and technologists. "I am happy to note that 40 per cent of students in Andhra University are girls," he said. "Some of our leading defence and space scientists who have powered our missile programmes and rocket launches are women. Last week, I was privileged to felicitate Tessy Thomas, known as the Missile Woman of India, at Agra University," the President said.The President, who also declared open the Centre for Defence Studies in Andhra University, said research related to defence and military applications and technologies had multiple benefits.

Source: Times of India December 07, 2017 16:07 UTC