President Ram Nath Kovind today said that providing education and equal opportunities to the women is necessary for women empowerment and opening up the gates of Sainik schools for women of the nation is a big step towards this.<br />''<br />''President was addressing as chief guest at the diamond jubilee celebrations of Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey Sainik School Lucknow.<br />''In his address Mr president Kovind said that, on 15 august The prime minister announced that sainik schools will be open for girls but UP is ahead in taking this decision as admission to girls was open three years back.<br />''<br />''Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey Sainik School will be the first sainik school of the country whose girl students will appear in NDA exams this year. He said that  Establishment of around 100 sainik schools is proposed in the budget this year.<br />''<br />''Mr Kovind said that, Uttar Pradesh is moving forward in the field of education and congratulated the state government for this.<br />''Mentioning the famous quote Mera Har Kam Desh ke Nam president said that Every effort of ourselves should be for the nation and keeping in mind the welfare of the country.<br />''<br />''The President expressed his concern about the restrictions put on traffic during his visit at different places and said that there should be minimum stoppage of traffic during his movements and emergency vehicles should get first priority even if his carcade needs to stop for a while. He requested people to follow the traffic rules especially during the movement of VIPs.<br />''<br />''Governor of the state Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Dr Dinesh Sharma along with other dignitaries were present on the occasion.<br />''<br />''The President is on a four day visit to Uttar Pradesh. During this visit, the President will take part in various programs scheduled in Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Ayodhya.<br />''<br />''It was a proud moment for thousands of alumni of the oldest Sainik school of the country when the President graced the diamond jubilee celebrations of their alma mater and on this occasion they got connected to the function physically and virtually. Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey Sainik School Lucknow holds the unique distinction of being the first Sainik School in the country and also the only one to be governed by the state government. This is also the first sainik school in the country to give admission to the girls and now the first to double it's capacity. <br />''<br />''Today President unveiled a statue of Dr Sampurnanand, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and laid the foundation stone of the girls hostel in the school and doubling of the school capacity.<br />''<br />''President Kovind also inaugurated a 1000-seater auditorium in remembrance of the former CM Sampurnanand, who was founder of the Sainik School in the year 1960.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #000000;">On the occasion family members of Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey and former CM Sampurnanand were also present. Later in the evening the President will also grace the 26th convocation of the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow.</span><br />