Looking at the large number of women who were conferred with doctorate degrees, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said in his address that he regretted not being able to get the Women’s Bill passed during his tenure. “I am conceding defeat to DU authorities as I could not get the Women’s Bill passed,” he said.

Noting that women constitute nearly half of India’s population, Chatterjee said the question of their empowerment had very special significance. “The country has to put an end to gender bias, outdated values and societal attitudes that inhibit women’s effective participation in public affairs, and should endeavour to empower women socially, economically and educationally,” he said.

He also said more youth should join politics and participate in the democratic process.

“The youth have to participate in democracy so as to bring about change and to not remain bystanders. They will bring in freshness of approach along with youthful energy to address the imperfections in the institution of democracy,” Chatterjee said.