In order to make India a front-line country the availability and commitment of talented and trained human resource was vital and role of education becomes even more crucial. This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the first National Conference on “Higher Education for Nation Building” organised by Himachal Pradesh Mahavidhalaya Shikshak Sangh at Government Degree College Chaura Maidan today. Chief Minister said that a robust education system should run parallel in providing highly qualified, talented and committed pool of trained manpower as per requisite of a strong nation. He said that efforts must be laid on providing students access to world-class teaching methods and to meet the dual challenge of providing employment while focusing on inclusive education.He said that digital technology needs to take centre-stage in the way the educational process is transacted in universities and homes. He said that increased use of technology has the potential to free the learner from the limitations of time, space, reach and to some extent, affordability. It has made education far more flexible, accessible and personal. It has added a renewed excitement to the process of learning, he added Jai Ram Thakur said that good education system develops the mind of a student towards progress, nationalism and social development. Students must be allowed to think, analyse, debate, react and come up with their own conclusion, he added.
Chief Minister said that the two years tenure of the present Government saw implementation of several small decisions with big impact on the lives of general public. He said that Jan Manch, Pension scheme, Him Care, Sahara Yojna, Ghirini Suvidha Yojana etc. have benefited lakhs of needy people of the State.Jai Ram Thakur said that the Himachal Pradesh is the first state in the country where employees were the highest in population ratio. He said that now the State Government was endeavouring to involve private sector to provide employment and self employment opportunities to the people. He said that Himachal Pradesh had been adjudged first in the country in health and education sectors in a survey conducted by a prestigious magazine. He said that education must be employment-oriented and make the students employable.He said that all the issues raised by the teachers would be looked into by the Government.Chief Minister said that the State Government would look into the demands of lecturers for restoring increment of MPhil and PhD holders and also creation of post of professor in college as per UGC guidelines. He also assured them that the Government would also consider their demands of exemption from Departmental exams.Chief Minister also released a book ‘Millennium Education for Nation Building’ written by Associate Professor of Economics in Center of Excellence, Shimla Dr. G.P. Kapoor and souvenir brought by the organisers on the occasion.
Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that the main aim of education should be acquiring knowledge for welfare of the society. He said that few anti national elements were cropping up in the nation and it was essential that they should not be allowed to use educational institutions as their grooming fields. He said that teachers should come forward to ensure that spirit of nationalism was inculcated in the students.President All India Shikshak Sangh Jagdish Prasad Singhal said that it was vital that the teachers come forward to work for nation rebuilding and regaining its old glory of “Vishva Guru”. He said that education must be aimed towards character building, only then it can become a tool for nation building. He said that India was once a seat of education and knowledge, but with passage of time and foreign invasions, our nation lost its old glory. He said that education should be aimed at making a student capable and self-sustainable. He said that teachers should have in-depth knowledge of his subject, besides clarity of thoughts only then he can be useful for the society. National Organizing Secretary Mahendra Kapoor said that the Sangathan was spread in twenty five States of the country. He said that the teachers were here to serve the society and help in nation re-building.HP Prant Parmukh of Mahavidhalaya Shikshak Sangh Ravinder Thakur welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion. Member UGC Prof. Nagesh, former Vice Chancellor Prof. Sunil Gupta were present on the occasion among others.