Chennai: “Women and men empowerment must go hand-in-hand. They must help each other in improving each other. Emirates was a very poor country 40 years ago. What made it rich today was not the oil but education. Invest in a child’s mind, no matter the generation, and the country will prosper for generations. I want you all women to be proud of what you do and stand for your daughter’s education,” said the Royal Family of UAE, Princess Sheikha Hend Faisal Al Qassemi.
She said this while talking about women empowerment at an event organised by the Anaikar Group of Institutions in Chennai recently. On the occasion, she addressed about 5,000 people, including teachers, students and parents on the status of women in society and the need for their uplift. She also laid the foundation stone for Anaikar Auditorium at the premises.
Green Man of India, K Abdul Ghani, who was the guest of honour, presented Rs 10,000 cash prize to Kashifa Nowreen for best logo. Other than this, the princess presented Meritorious Service for Anaikar Institutions certificate and awards to principals of the schools, including Mujeebunnisa, Naseema Sultana, Nasreen Begum, Sheik Abdul Nazer, V N Khalilullah and Kashifa Nowreen.
Anaikar Group of Trusts secretary and spokesperson Mohammed Anaikar, said, “We are a 60-year-old trust. Through our schools, we provide education at a subsidised fee and also ensure scholarships. Of the six schools, two offer education free of cost. We have provided education for more than one lakh students to date. Our educational institutions provide smart classes, well-equipped laboratories, transportation facility, full-fledged library with a safe environment and our boys and girls have been achieving state- and district-level top ranks regularly.”
Talking about the importance of such events highlighting women empowerment, Mohammed added, “Awareness on the education of women and their uplift is very little. So, women face a lot of challenges from society right from their childhood. Public seminars like this that throw light on women empowerment will sensitise the public and help women come out of the shell.”