Former US First Lady interacts with students at IITGN, encourages women to develop resilience

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton emphasised the need for higher education to prepare young generation for future endeavours. 

Former US First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks during a town hall at IIT Gandhinagar.

Former US First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton visited the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) as a part of her India visit and interacted with faculty and students there.  

During a town hall at the institute titled ‘Insights from Her Journey’, Clinton emphasised the need to take climate action and adopt sustainable alternate solutions in day-to-day life. Citing an example from her visit to a salt pan farm where women are using solar-powered pumps, she expressed confidence in India’s ability to meet the alternate energy needs and said, “Alternative clean energy is India’s future, and it would not burden the country, but instead it can reduce costs and generate more income for the communities.” 

She said, “Education at all levels is the key to the continuing effort for economic and social equality and justice. And higher education is very important to prepare our young generation for future endeavours. It is at the heart of how we continue to provide opportunity, and so it is important to open higher education to as many students as possible with a variety of educational institutions.” She also encouraged girls and women to develop enough resilience and support each other in dealing with adversity. 

IITGN Director Prof Rajat Moona said, “It is a matter of honour to host Secretary Hillary Clinton at IIT Gandhinagar today, who has done immense work for various communities around the world. It is this philosophy of improving lives and giving back that has guided the endeavours of IIT Gandhinagar over the years. We believe in adopting a global outlook in our academic and research activities and applying it to address some global as well as regional challenges. Our effort has been to equip our students not only with cutting-edge scientific and technological knowledge but also social empathy.” 

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