UP Governor Anandiben Patel tells women to become 'expert mothers' before IAS officers or teachers; says career success should not come at the cost of family responsibilities. Watch

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has drawn attention with her remarks on balancing career ambitions and family responsibilities, saying women should aim to become "expert mothers" before aspiring to become IAS officers or teachers.

Speaking at the 41st convocation ceremony of Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU) in Kanpur on Thursday, Anandiben Patel stressed that professional achievements should go hand in hand with responsibilities at home. At the same time, she encouraged women to continue their education and careers after marriage and contribute actively to the country's development.

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Anandiben Patel says women should first become 'expert mothers'

"Whether you become an IAS officer or a teacher, first become an expert mother. Everyone should know how to cook the food prepared at home," she said at the event, a clip of which has now gone viral on social media.

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The governor also urged women not to give up their education after getting married. She said daughters should continue learning, develop their abilities and use their education to contribute to society and the nation.



Using a metaphor to explain her message, Patel said: "Just as we wring clothes to separate the water, in the same way, wherever you go in society, wring out your knowledge completely in the service of the nation."

She also encouraged students to gain practical skills in addition to earning degrees, saying self-reliance comes from applying knowledge in real-life situations.

Governor asks parents to stay involved in children's lives

During her address, Patel also spoke about the role of parents in shaping young people's future. She urged parents to remain actively involved in their children's lives even after they enter schools, colleges and universities.

"Parents should know what their children are doing after they enter educational institutions. Even a small lapse in supervision can adversely affect their future."

According to Anandiben Patel, regular guidance from parents plays an important role in helping students stay focused and avoid harmful influences.

Raises concern over drug abuse near university hostels

The governor also expressed concern about drug abuse around educational institutions.

She claimed that a monitoring team from Raj Bhavan had found narcotics allegedly being supplied through food delivery containers near university hostels. According to Patel, administrative intervention helped dismantle the network.

Her remarks highlighted the need for educational institutions and authorities to remain vigilant against illegal activities affecting students.

Says education must build moral values along with academic success

Patel linked rising crimes against women and incidents of domestic violence to what she described as declining moral values in society. She said education should focus not only on academic excellence but also on character development.

"If degrees are increasing but society continues to witness such crimes, it reflects the true state of our education. Moral values are as important as academic knowledge."

According to her, educational institutions have an important responsibility in shaping responsible citizens alongside producing skilled professionals.

The convocation also celebrated the academic achievements of women students. Out of the 51 medals presented, 42 were won by women, accounting for nearly 82% of the total awards.

Among the top achievers was Priya Yadav, a BSc Agriculture graduate, who received the Chancellor's Gold Medal after securing the highest marks in the university.

The university also launched DigiLocker-based digital degree distribution, allowing graduates to access their certificates online.

(With TOI inputs)