Education is accorded a high priority in development policy in most countries, including India.

Education is a fundamental requirement for enhancing overall quality of individual and societal life.

Kipling was paying tribute to the Vicereine who established the Fund associated with her name. This was an organisation which employed medical women (or 'lady doctors') to run a chain of hospitals and dispensaries all over India and Burma.

In these words, Ayurved, the ancient Indian medical science, describes "safe motherhood" Thus, "Motherhood is the basis of family life which, in turn, is the backbone of all the orders of society. Hence, family life remains protected if the woman is safe and protected."

The statement, tucked away in one of the many thick Agrawal Samaj magazines I had been perusing, made me smile.