Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Vijaya Rahatkar, led the Women’s AI Empowerment Drive at LPU

Jalandhar, August 18, 2026: A powerful call to place women at the forefront of India's artificial intelligence revolution resonated across Lovely Professional University as National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar addressed students during the Yashoda AI- Women's Path to AI Empowerment program. The program brought together students, faculty members, and young aspirants for an extensive conversation on artificial intelligence, legal literacy, cyber safety, and women's leadership, reinforcing the message that India's march towards Viksit Bharat 2047 would be incomplete without women leading the country's technological future.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Founder Chancellor of LPU, stated, Artificial Intelligence has become an essential reality of modern life, making it imperative for young people to embrace technology with confidence and purpose. Dr. Mittal said LPU has consistently witnessed women setting new benchmarks across academics, research, entrepreneurship, and international sports, proving that talent flourishes when opportunities are equal. Dr. Mittal added that the next chapter of this leadership must be written in AI, where women should shape the technology, influence its direction, and help build solutions that serve society.
Addressing the students, Vijaya Rahatkar described LPU as an institution that leaves a lasting impression through both its environment and its outcomes, saying that meeting young people on campus reminded her of the excitement and aspirations that define student life. Explaining the vision behind Yashoda AI, Rahatkar said the initiative seeks to prepare women to shape the future with confidence, responsibility, and dignity. Rahatkar urged students to approach technology with awareness rather than blind dependence, emphasizing that digital confidence must go hand in hand with privacy, ethics, and informed decision making. Rahatkar cautioned against the misuse of AI through cyber harassment, deepfakes, and manipulated digital content, stressing that responsible technology use has become an essential life skill.
The Chairperson also devoted significant attention to legal awareness, encouraging every student to become familiar with laws that protect women and children, including the POSH Act, the POCSO Act, the Domestic Violence Act, and cyber laws dealing with online abuse, image morphing, and digital harassment. Mentioning the importance of timely support systems, Smt. Rahatkar encouraged students to remember key helpline numbers, including 181 for women, 112 for police assistance, and 14490, the National Commission for Women helpline for counseling and support. Smt. Rahatkar expressed confidence that the partnership between the National Commission for Women and LPU would continue to grow, saying the university's direction aligns with the larger national vision of building an inclusive and technologically empowered India.
The event was graced by Col. Dr. Rashmi Mittal, Pro-Chancellor of LPU,  Dr. Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Vice Chancellor of LPU, and Ram Avatar Singh, Deputy Director at the National Commission for Women, reaffirming the shared commitment to advancing women's leadership in the age of artificial intelligence through awareness, education, and responsible innovation.
The interaction added another meaningful chapter to LPU's ongoing efforts towards women's empowerment. From women excelling in international sports, research, and entrepreneurship to creating opportunities for young women to engage with national initiatives shaping the future, the university has consistently translated its commitment into action.