Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam on Saturday in New Delhi which coincided with the three-year anniversary of the launch of the new National Education Policy (NEP).
PM Modi while addressing the audience during the inauguration programme spoke at length about the National Education Policy and how it has affected the country over the last three years, he then spoke about how it plans to help the students and the future of the country. He said, "The National Educational Policy will give due respect and credit to every language in the country.... Those who try to politicise language for their selfish interests will now have to shut their shops."
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"Education in the mother tongue is initiating a new form of justice for students in India. It is also a very significant step towards social justice," he added.
Taking note of the multitude of languages in the world and their importance, PM Modi underlined that several developed countries have got an edge owing to their local languages.
He provided the example of Europe, where the majority of countries utilize their own native languages. PM Modi expressed his concern about how India's many established languages are often viewed as a sign of being behind the times. Unfortunately, those who are unable to speak English are often overlooked, and their talents are not properly acknowledged.
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"As a result, children in the rural areas remain the most affected. The country has now begun to shun this belief with the advent of the NEP. Even at the United Nations, I speak in an Indian language," he added.
Modi underlined that subjects ranging from social science to engineering will now be taught in Indian languages. "When the students are confident in a language, their skills and talent will emerge without any restrictions," he said.
The Prime Minister also interacted with students during his visit.
During the programme, Modi released the first instalment of funds under the PM SHRI Scheme.
"The world is looking at India as a nursery of new possibilities. Many countries are approaching us to open IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) campuses there. Two IIT campuses -- one in Tanzania and one in Abu Dhabi -- are already about to start operations.... Various global universities are also reaching out to us, expressing their interest in setting up campuses in India," PM Modi reportedly said.
The prime minister said judging youngsters on the basis of their language rather than their talent is the biggest injustice.
He added, "The NEP aims at making India a hub of research and innovation. The policy has given equal importance to traditional knowledge systems and futuristic technology."
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PM Modi also asked schools to make students aware of subjects such as disaster management, climate change and clean energy.
PM Modi said that in a way that they become engaged, productive, and contributing citizens for building an equitable, inclusive, and plural society as envisaged under the NEP.
The PM will also release education and skill curriculum books translated into 12 Indian languages.
The two-day Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam is being held at Bharat Mandapam at the old Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
PM Modi also visited an exhibition ahead of the launch on Saturday.
