300 women achievers attend DRDO workshop in Ladakh

Our Correspondent

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Leh, March 11

As part of International Women’s Day commemoration, the Leh-based Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) conducted a national-level workshop, “DRDO Initiative of Women Augmenting Services,” today.

The aim of the workshop was to celebrate the role of women in nation-building and the commitment to create a gender-neutral work environment to facilitate skill development among women.

Around 300 women achievers, including 180 DRDO women scientists, from all over country participated in the annual event at Leh.

Inaugurating the workshop, Minister for Ladakh Affairs and Cooperatives Chering Dorjay said women in the DRDO had tirelessly been working with devotion, determination and soldierly dedication and providing technological solutions to the Armed Forces and civilians.

Dorjay appreciated the research and development efforts of DIHAR to facilitate agro-animal fresh food supply to the Army units deployed at the high altitudes through civil-military interface.

The minister also appreciated the DRDO’s efforts in establishing the Extreme Altitude Research Centre at Chang La at an altitude of 17,664 feet, which has received the Guinness World Records certification.

S Christopher, chairman, DRDO, who is also the Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, in his address, complimented the women scientists for their achievements in various fields. He said Indian women were shining in all spheres at national and international arenas and expressed the hope that the trend would see better achievements in the coming times.

The DRDO chairman also visited the experimental fields of DIHAR. A technical exhibition was also put up to showcase the achievements of the DRDO’s life sciences cluster and their spin-off benefits for the locals.

Shashi Bala Singh, Director General (Life Sciences) and Chairperson of “DIWAS-2018”, in her address, said the workshop had given researchers, entrepreneurs, government servants, farmers and NGOs a common platform to work for a global cause and create an environment where a larger number of women would be playing leadership roles.

Thupstan Tsewang, Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Dorjey Motup, Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, and S Christopher, chairman, DRDO, Lt Gen SK Upadhyay, General Officer Commanding, 14 Corps, and Dr Tsering Ladol were present at the inaugural function. The workshop was scheduled to be inaugurated by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, but her visit was cancelled at the eleventh hour due to French President Emmanuel Macron visit’s to Delhi.

 National-level event

• Around 300 women achievers, including 180 DRDO women scientists, from all over country participated in the annual event at Leh
• The aim of the workshop was to celebrate the role of women in nation-building and the commitment to create a gender-neutral work environment to facilitate skill development among women.