Sudha Murty's Remarks | Motion of Thanks on the President's Address | 02 July, 2024

Summary

In her maiden speech, the speaker, a nominee of the President of India, emphasizes the importance of women's health, advocating for the inclusion of cervical cancer vaccinations for girls aged 9 to 14. She also passionately addresses the underappreciated wealth of India's cultural heritage, urging for the recognition and preservation of lesser-known historical sites, and promoting tourism to boost national revenue.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is not a politician and has been nominated by the President of India, expressing gratitude to the President and Prime Minister.
• 🏥 The speaker emphasizes the importance of women's health, particularly the issue of cervical cancer, and suggests the incorporation of HPV vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14 to prevent it.
• 💉 The speaker has experience working with the Infosys Foundation on cervical cancer and believes in the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, urging the government to consider its widespread implementation.
• 👨‍⚕️ The speaker, being a daughter and granddaughter of doctors, is well aware of the impact of cervical cancer on families and the importance of mothers in a household.
• 🌟 The speaker passionately advocates for the recognition and preservation of India's rich cultural heritage, including lesser-known historical sites and monuments.
• 🏰 The speaker mentions several sites that should be considered for World Heritage status, such as the statue of Tankara, the group of monuments in Mandu, and the cave temples in Badami.
• 🌍 The speaker highlights the potential of tourism in India, suggesting that promoting lesser-known heritage sites could increase revenue and awareness of India's cultural diversity.
• 🛤️ The speaker calls for better infrastructure, such as roads and toilets, to facilitate tourism and make these sites more accessible to visitors.
• 📚 The speaker's expertise in the field is based on years of research and personal visits to various historical sites, emphasizing the need for preservation and promotion.
• 🙏 The speaker concludes with a shloka emphasizing the importance of doing work with full concentration and mindfulness, reflecting on the unity in diversity of Indian culture.
• 🇮🇳 The speaker expresses a commitment to serve with dedication in her tenure, aligning her work with the principles of the god she believes in, and a desire to contribute to the nation's progress.

Q & A

What was the speaker's primary focus in her speech?

The speaker primarily focused on women's health, particularly the prevention of cervical cancer through vaccination, and the promotion of tourism in India by recognizing and preserving lesser-known heritage sites.

Why did the speaker emphasize the importance of cervical cancer prevention?

The speaker emphasized cervical cancer prevention because many women tend to neglect their health, leading to late-stage diagnoses. She advocated for the inclusion of cervical vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14 as a preventive measure.

What suggestion did the speaker make regarding the cost of the cervical vaccination?

The speaker suggested that if the government intervenes and negotiates, the cost of the cervical vaccination could be reduced from approximately 1,400 rupees to 7-800 rupees, making it more affordable for the population.

What experience does the speaker have that contributes to her knowledge on the subject of health?

The speaker mentioned her background as the daughter and sister of doctors and her 30 years of work with the Infosys Foundation, which has focused on health-related initiatives, including cervical cancer prevention.

Why did the speaker discuss India's tourism potential in her speech?

The speaker highlighted India's vast cultural heritage and the underutilization of many significant sites. She argued that promoting lesser-known heritage sites could increase tourism revenue and foster greater appreciation for India's rich history.

Can you name some of the heritage sites the speaker mentioned that are not well-known but have significant historical value?

The speaker mentioned several lesser-known heritage sites, including the statue of Tankara at Shola in Karnataka, the group of monuments in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh, the caves of Badami in Karnataka, and the natural root bridges in Mizoram.

What was the speaker's emotional connection to her role in the Rajya Sabha?

The speaker expressed her deep sense of gratitude and honor at being able to speak in the Rajya Sabha, a dream she had since childhood. She felt privileged to contribute to the country and pledged to serve with full dedication.

How does the speaker connect her experience as an author to her speech?

As an author, the speaker often uses analogies and references to shlokas (verses) to convey her points. Although she could not delve into these in detail due to time constraints, she indicated her preference for this style of communication.

What was the speaker's view on India's cultural unity despite its diversity?

The speaker emphasized that despite India's diversity in dress, food, language, and culture, the country remains united, like the fingers of a hand forming a fist. This sense of unity is a core aspect of the Indian character.

What is the significance of the shloka mentioned by the speaker at the end of her speech?

The shloka highlighted the importance of performing work with full dedication, intellect, and concentration. The speaker used it to express her commitment to serving in the Rajya Sabha with unwavering focus and integrity.