'If there was patriarchy in India, how could Indira Gandhi become PM', Union Finance Minister's question

On Saturday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that if patriarchy prevented women in India from fulfilling their dreams, how could Indira Gandhi become the Prime Minister of the country. While interacting with the students of CMS Business School, Bangalore, she said this statement. She talked about the central government's initiatives to support innovation and the programs provided for youths during this time. An internship program for one crore unemployed young people between the ages of 21 and 24 is also part of this.

Sitharaman responded that patriarchy is a Marxist theory when asked about women empowerment. He said, do not be swayed by good words. If you speak logically and make your perspective clear, patriarchy cannot prevent you from achieving your goals. He admitted that women do not have access to full facilities, however, and that this needs to be improved.

On the question of opportunities for innovation in India, the Finance Minister said that the Modi government is creating an environment for innovation, which is helping them. He said we are supporting innovation not only through policies but also to ensure that these innovations get the right place in the market. Giving an example, he said that 40 percent of all government purchases come from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). He said, today there are more than two lakh startups in India and more than 130 unicorns have been formed. This means that there are many opportunities. But they have not been fully utilized.