Education in mother tongue key step towards social justice: PM Modi

“But in India, despite an array of distinguished languages, they were presented as a sign of backwardness, and those who could not speak English were neglected and their talents were not recognised,” he said, adding, “As a result, the children of the rural areas remained most affected.”

But the country, he said, has now begun to shun this belief. “Even at the UN, I speak in the Indian language,” he said.

Modi also released education and skill curriculum books translated into 12 Indian languages at the event, which also marked the third anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Subjects ranging from social science to engineering will now be taught in Indian languages, he said.

“When students are confident in a language, their skills and talent will emerge without any restrictions,” he said, adding, “Those who try to politicise language for their own selfish interests will now have to shut their shops.”

He urged students present at the gathering to be free from the “mentality of slavery” and remain eager for innovations during the next 25 years of Amrit Kaal.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister also released the first instalment of Rs 630 crore under the PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) Scheme, which will benefit 6207 schools.

Among the various parameters of quality education, India’s big effort, he said, is for equality. “Equality in education means that no child is deprived of education due to place, class, region,” he said, pointing out that thousands of schools are being upgraded under the scheme.

He said the number of Indian institutes is increasing in all global rankings and spoke about two IIT campuses opening up in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi.

“Many other countries are also urging us to open IIT campuses in their own countries,” he said.

Many global universities, he said, are also willing to open their campuses in India due to positive changes coming in the education ecosystem, adding that two Australian universities are about to open their campuses in Gujarat’s GIFT City.

The Prime Minister said it’s a coincidence that the last such event was held at Varanasi’s newly-built Rudraksha Convention Centre, while this one is being held at the just inaugurated Bharat Mandapam convention centre in the Capital.

“From the Rudraksha of Kashi to the modern Bharat Mandapam, there is a hidden message in the journey of Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam – the amalgamation of ancient and modern.”

“On the one hand, the educational system of India is preserving its ancient traditions. On the other hand, the nation is fast progressing in the field of science and technology,” he said.