With a view to boost ‘growth with equality', President Pratibha Patil has expressed the need for scholarships and easy loan facilities for women's education in the country.

Commenting on the 58th convocation of SNDT University in Mumbai, President said, "Financial support is necessary, especially for women pursuing higher education."

She added that "women's education is essential for ushering in the information society" and mainstreaming them into the development of the society is essential for "achieving our objective of growth with equality".

The President admitted that the opportunities given to the women in the country are not inline to the ones extended to the men. There is gender based inequality that has to be minimized by making the development process more women-inclusive. "Real development cannot take root on a sustainable basis, unless it is inclusive of women," she said.

"One cannot think of a well informed society, until its women are educated. Our goal should be to expand the reach of education and ensure that opportunities to learn are within the reach of all women and girls," added Patil.

Also the High Government in Chennai has insisted banks to extend education loans that are not based on the repayment capacity of parents.

Justice K Suguna said that the government had taken a policy decision to extend loans up to Rs 4 lakh without any security. "This is the policy of the government...it will mean that the government is willing to advance loans to poor students with an intention that they should not be denied their higher education on the ground of lack of finance."