Education’s universalisation must to bring about social change: President

Indore: President Shri Pranab Mukherjee has said that process for social change can be set in motion only through initiative for education’s universalisation. He was addressing a function under School Chalen Ham Abhiyan of the state government at Brilliant Convention Centre, Indore today.

Praising Madhya Pradesh for initiative to promote education, the President said that everyone’s cooperation is being sought in this and public awareness being increased. He described the campaign as a milestone in Madhya Pradesh’s history. Shri Mukherjee asked the state government to resolve that this campaign will be continued till 100 percent literacy is achieved in Madhya Pradesh.

Shri Mukherjee said that Madhya Pradesh started process of social change through universalisation of education with School Chalen Ham Abhiyan. Shri Mukherjee said that this achievement is possible since the campaign is not dependent on merely official machinery. He said that cooperation of every section is necessary in promoting education. The President expressed happiness that corporate world, NGOs and concerning beneficiaries have also been associated with this campaign.

The President said that it was resolved at the time of framing of the Constitution that primary education would be given to every child till 14 years of age, but this resolve could not be fulfilled every after 60 years. At last, the government implemented Right to Education Act. He said that framing laws alone will not remove illiteracy. From where engineers and doctors will come for building the nation if large number of our children remain illiterate? He asked what progress we have made if India has largest number of illiterate people. Shri Mukherjee urged literate class of society, engineers and doctors to take responsibility of educating maximum number of children under Right to Education Act. The President said that remaining content with only admission of children in schools will not do. Children’s attendance is also necessary in schools. He said that no one can stop India from moving the direction of removing illiteracy. The President said that Madhya Pradesh has taken an important initiative for this.

Governor Shri Ram Naresh Yadav said that solid school education is the foundation of future. School Chalen Ham Abhiyan is creating a new history in Madhya Pradesh. He called for united efforts to ensure success of this campaign. Madhya Pradesh is a fast growing state. The state government has taken initiative to improve quality of education through this campaign. It is responsibility of every person to ensure that every child studies.

Lok Sabha Speaker Smt. Sumitra Mahajan said that modern techniques should be used to improve quality of education. Teachers must pay attention to teaching. She urged people to send every child in their vicinity to school. One can move towards higher education to make his life prosperous only after completing school education. She urged to make Madhya Pradesh a pioneer state in education sector also.

Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh will have to be developed as a literate state for ensuring its development and prosperity. Government will send every child to school. State will progress only when children study. Every section of society must join hands with this campaign for sending children to schools. It is government’s resolve that every child goes to school and brightens his future. Every work becomes possible when society stands shoulder to shoulder with the government. Free books, cycles and uniforms are being given to students. Laptops are given to students on securing over 85 percent marks in class XII and smart phones on taking admission in college. To ensure that no hurdle comes in talented students’ education, the state government has launched higher education loan guarantee scheme under which loan guarantee is taken by the government. He said that children should study and take the state forward. Giving example of Swami Vivekananda, he said that if one works with dedication then everything is possible.

Chief Secretary Shri Anthony de Sa threw light on the campaign’s outlines. He said that 2 lakh motivators have joined the campaign. School Uphar Yojana is being launched to seek cooperation of private persons in improvement of schools’ infrastructure.

At the function, campaign’s motivational song, Saraswati Vandana and Bharat Vandana were sung. Urban Administration & Development Minister Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, School Education Minister Shri Paras Jain, SC and ST Welfare Minister Shri Gyan Singh, Minister of State for School Education Shri Deepak Joshi, Indore Mayor Shri Krishna Murari Moghe, Indore Development Authority Chairman Shri Shankar Lalwani, Zila Panchayat Chairman Shri Omprakash Parsawadia, MLAs Sarvshri Sudarshan Gupta, Ramesh Mendola, Sushri Usha Thakur, Smt. Malini Gaud and Shri Rajendra Verma, Lokayukta Shri P.P. Naolekar and large number of school children were present on the occasion.

Farewell to President at Indore airport

Farewell was accorded to President Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Indore airport after his one-day Indore visit. Governor Shri Ram Naresh Yadav, Lok Sabha Speaker Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan bade him farewell expressing gratitude towards him for Indore visit. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan presented a picture album of President’s Madhya Pradesh visit to him.

Those who also bade farewell to the President at Indore airport included Urban Administration and Development Minister Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, Lt. Gen. MCTE Mhow Shri Rajesh Pant, commissioner, collector, IG, DIG, MLAs and other public representatives.