Gurugram, Sept. 11 -- For Dr Indu Rao, empowering girls has been a thread running through her career in higher education. Now principal of three government girls' colleges, Rao is trying to take education beyond classrooms and degrees to equip students with skills, confidence and the ability to make independent choices. Her philosophy is simple: "Educate a girl, educate a family." "Since Day One of my career, I have been working for girls' employment and empowerment," Rao said. "When a girl becomes educated, confident and independent, the entire family benefits." Students are encouraged to learn driving, computers, communication and soft skills, grooming, painting, farming and entrepreneurship. Rao said a degree alone was not enough and students should learn to use technology, communicate effectively and, if they wished, start enterprises of their own. Under an entrepreneurship initiative, students gain practical experience by running a canteen, boutique, salon and organic farm, learning teamwork and the basics of running an enterprise. Rao traces her emphasis on independence partly to her upbringing. One of four sisters, she grew up in Haryana as the daughter of a Haryana Civil Services officer. Her sisters went on to become principals in Haryana higher education, while the youngest is a doctor. "My mother made all four of us smart, independent and fiery," Rao said. Rao has expanded academic opportunities through programmes including BCA, BA Economics (Honours), BA English (Honours), BSc Physical Sciences, MCom and MA Economics. The campuses also focus on environmental initiatives. More than 1,800 trees have been planted, along with a botanical garden and carbon garden, while facilities and programmes include emotional well-being workshops, sports, a creche and dispensary. A hostel is also proposed....