The Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu has said that Literacy and Education are the foundations for a strong, inclusive, gender-responsive India. Addressing the gathering of students and teachers during the 34th Convocation of Banasthali Vidyapith, in Tonk district of Rajasthan today, he called for holistic, life giving and character building education system.Shri M Venkaiah Naidu lauded the Panchmukhi Shiksha model of Banasthali Vidyapith and said that the institution has adopted an innovative way to impart holistic education that enables every student to recognize her innate potential, and help in integrating the knowledge gained with its cultural and environmental context.The Vice President said the students must understand the heritage and culture of the great Indian civilization and what it stood for. “You and I have inherited this intellectual and philosophical tradition. We must nourish the beautiful tree continuously with devotion and dedication.
Diffidence and despair should be dispelled,” he said.Shri M Venkaiah Naidu said that Women’s empowerment is a key factor in determining the country’s growth and development. “I believe that education is the best way to empower women,” the Vice President said.“We still have formidable challenges in our country. One third of our women cannot read and write. Women enrolment in higher educational institutions is far less than men. These gender gaps need to be bridged,” he added.The Vice President further said that we need to strategically work together and become a developed nation. “Human resources have to be enriched. We have to work diligently to provide diversified educational opportunities to enhance employability,” he added.