NEP’s emphasis on imparting education in one’s mother tongue will prove to be a game-changer: Vice-President M. Naidu

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, on Sunday (May 1), called for taking higher education into the rural areas and making it more inclusive and equitable.

The vice president stressed that this dimension of inclusiveness and equitable access to education for rural youth is critical because education plays a key role in human development, nation-building, and creating a prosperous and sustainable global future.

Speaking at the Centenary celebrations of the Delhi University, Naidu emphasised that Universities must come out with innovative and out of box ideas to address the pressing problems of society. He also said that the ultimate aim of the research should be to make people’s lives more comfortable and happier.

Pointing out that India has the world’s largest youth population, the Vice President called for harnessing the collective power of our human resources for nation-building. Describing the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) as a far-sighted document set to revolutionise the country’s educational landscape, he said its emphasis on imparting education in one’s mother tongue when implemented in schools, colleges and universities would prove to be a game-changer.

Calling for providing basic education in a child’s mother tongue, Naidu said the local language must be the main mode of communication in the administration and courts. “Every gazette notification and government order should be in the local or native language so that the common man understands it,” he added.

Vice President Naidu reminded the gathering that ancient India had enjoyed the reputation of being a Viswaguru and was a renowned cradle of culture. He said reputed centres of knowledge, among the earliest known to humanity, like the universities of Nalanda, Takshashila, Vikramshila, Vallabhi and Odantapuri bear ample testimony to this fact. Declaring that it is his deep-seated wish to see Indian Universities ranked among the top 10 universities globally, the Vice President asked all stakeholders to work with this aim in mind.

Observing that education is not merely for employment, he said it was to enhance knowledge and enlightenment. Education is a lifelong learning process and does not end with acquiring degrees. He exhorted the students to dream big, aim high and work hard to succeed in life.

Emphasising the importance of peace for achieving all-round progress, the Vice President said that one would not be able to pay attention to anything if there is tension.

Stressing the need for Indianization of our education system, the Vice President wanted the educational institutions to promote Indian culture and traditional values such as respect for elders, teachers, and love for nature. Referring to the increasing frequency of extreme climatic events like the ongoing heatwave, he urged everyone to respect and live in harmony with nature.

Vice President Naidu also advised the students to give equal importance to sports and games or yoga for physical fitness and avoid a sedentary lifestyle. He also wanted them to eat properly cooked traditional food as prescribed by ancestors according to our bodily needs and climatic conditions.

On this occasion, the Vice President also released the Commemorative Centenary Stamp, Commemorative Centenary Coin, Commemorative Centenary volume and the Delhi University Undergraduate Curriculum Framework- 2022 (Hindi, Sanskrit & Telugu versions). He also launched the Centenary Website of the University and felicitated Ms Kritika Khinchi, student of Gargi College and creator of the Centenary Logo for the University of Delhi.

Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Prof. Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Delhi University, Prof. Prakash Singh, Director South Delhi Campus, Ms Manju Kumar, Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Circle, Prof. Balram Pani, Dean of Colleges, Dr Vikas Gupta, Registrar, Prof. Rajni Abbi, Proctor, Prof. Nerra Agnimitra, Convener, Centenary Celebrations, faculty, staff, students and other dignitaries attended the event. (PIB)