Go to villages, understand people: Prez to students

Tirupati: Go to villages, spend two-three days there. Get a feel of how people live, interact with children, men and women. Find out if the various schemes of the government are reaching them or not," this was the advice given by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday.

Murmu interacted with students and faculty members of Sri Padmavati Mahila Viswavidyalayam here before winding up her two-day trip to Andhra Pradesh.

The President said when students go the villages, they would get to know what schemes the people of the country require. "...you may become IAS, IFS officers, engineers and others…and make policies. I told the Vice-Chancellor to let the university's NSS adopt some backward villages and stay there for 2-3 days. Find out what are the requirements, what needs to be improved," she said.

The President asked the students to study what schemes were available for women and children, whether or not they were good and what needs improvement and give a report to the Collector. "Bachche mann ke sachche hote hain (children are good at heart). The Collector will definitely listen to you," she added.

Murmu observed that the country was growing and making a name in the world. "The Prime Minister has been implementing many schemes for women. Half the population (51 per cent) is women. I am very happy that good is being done to women," she remarked. She asked the students to study well and march ahead. "But always look back to see how many people are behind you and why.

Find the answer to that 'why' and try to take them along," she added. The President noted that India was a land of "infinite cultures" which did not even find place in our books.

There are people working in different countries who are Indians. Now, they are seeking to come back to India because we now have all the facilities, with technology advancing."

The President said the Prime Minister has been stressing on research and innovation. "There are many areas where more research needs to be done and they should come up with innovative ideas."

She stressed on the need for protecting the environment and asked the women to ponder over it. "India is best in the world in terms of forest cover, right from the Himalayas to the villages. We have to protect this," she said. The President stressed that development was essential but environmental protection was also vital. Union Minister for Tourism and Culture G Kishan Reddy, AP Deputy Chief Minister (Excise) K Narayana Swamy and others were present.