ICAR-CIBA, Chennai, celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024, to commemorate the remarkable achievements of women and also to identify the challenges that women still face. Dr. Jane Prasad, Registrar of IIT-Madras, was the chief guest and delivered a talk on “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” emphasizing the importance of women’s empowerment and education and their relevance for the progress of India. In addition, her talk also highlighted different schemes introduced by the government, incorporating the changed focus from “women’s development” to “women-led development.” Dr. Prasad shared her valuable experiences on balancing professional and personal life, urging women to pursue their dreams and actively participate in the progress of the nation. Information on the research opportunities and other academic courses available at IIT-Madras was also shared during the interaction session.
Dr. C.P. Balasubramanian, Director in-charge of ICAR-CIBA emphasized the dual roles women play encompassing traditional expectations and modern opportunities in his address. His speech highlighted the societal changes toward women’s empowerment through education and economic participation providing new opportunities for women. Dr. Sherly Tomy, Principal Scientist and Chairperso n of Women Cell in her address gave on the importance of women’s involvement and empowerment for the holistic development of the society.
The event also featured prize distribution for the winners of the Women’s Day competitions and felicitation of women staff superannuating/taking VRS this year for their dedicated service to the Institute.
