India can reap the demographic dividend only if kids are properly educated: Pranab Mukherjee

“Not only that the largest number of working hands will be available to India, which would be more than the working hands available with advanced countries like the US, Europe and even China. Therefore we will have an opportunity of providing surplus workforces available to us,” he said.

The country can reap the demographic dividend “only if we succeed in educating and skilling our youth, especially our children,” he said, adding that the children should be educated and healthy.

The President complimented Akshaya Patra Foundation for having played an exemplary role, through its fresh and nutritious meals, for drawing millions of Indian children to their classrooms every day.

He urged everyone to contribute in whatever way possible to the noble project of ending hunger among school children. He said even the biggest of challenges can be addressed through collective efforts of the community, NGOs and the government.

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The President noted that hunger still remains a problem in the country despite some steps taken by philanthropists and businessmen. “The problem remains because of our social structures and various other reasons. We have not been able to guarantee the assured meal to children,” he said.

“The legal right to compulsory education up to the age of 14 years is not adequate without creating conducive atmosphere for learning,” Mukherjee said, adding that Akshay Patra Foundation is doing a commendable job by filling the stomachs of the school children, which is being supported and funded by government and various other organizations.