Sun Jul 06 02:29:38 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

This article from *The Hindu* explores gender gaps, particularly in STEM fields, from an Indian perspective. It highlights the societal pressure and unequal opportunities women face, even while acknowledging the importance of STEM education. It questions the overemphasis on STEM at the expense of humanities and arts, advocating for a collaborative approach where both fields are valued. The piece touches on gender fluidity, live-in relationships in India, and profiles a woman entrepreneur in Uttarakhand to illustrate societal nuances.

**News Article:**

**India Grapples with Gender Imbalance in STEM, Calls for Broader Perspective**

**New Delhi, July 6, 2025** – A recent article published in *The Hindu* shines a spotlight on the persistent gender disparities within the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in India, and argues for a more holistic approach to education and societal progress.

The article acknowledges that while STEM fields are revered in India as pathways to social mobility, women remain significantly underrepresented. Referencing a World Bank report, it notes that women comprise only 25% of STEM college and university students in South Asia.

The piece questions the prevailing narrative that STEM is a universal “prerequisite for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth,” suggesting that the humanities and arts – referred to as SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts for People and the Economy) – are equally vital and advocates for collaboration between the two.

“What if people from SHAPE ruled the world? What if those who do science and those who do humanities work as a team, to create cities for all people, not just able-bodied youthful men?” the article posits.

The author touches upon gender fluidity, referencing a paper by Ruth Fernando on gender fluidity in Shakespeare’s plays, and societal norms surrounding live-in relationships in India, citing an Allahabad High Court justice’s perspective.

The article concludes by highlighting the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of women like Sushila Panwar, who runs a roadside kitchen in Uttarakhand, demonstrating that financial stability and societal contribution come in many forms, often defying conventional gender roles.

The piece prompts a critical examination of educational priorities and societal values, urging a move away from the sole focus on STEM and toward a more inclusive and collaborative future.

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