Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, today delivered lecture through video conferencing using the national knowledge network on the topic, “Youth and Nation-Building” to students and faculty of institutes of higher learning.
In Jammu University, Vice-Chancellor Prof R D Sharma, faculty members, scholars and students attended the lecture of the President through video conferencing.
Addressing the faculty and students, the President said that the key to prepare younger generation for nation building is through investment in educating the youth, in the sharpening of their mental faculties, technical skills, professional competence and awareness about their social responsibilities.
The youth have to shoulder the responsibility of nation-building and that can be achieved through the medium of education and training. Our education system must gear up to develop our youth by teaching them to control their lives, which can be done through character-building, healthcare, and sharpening the ability to learn and use experience for attainment of one’s goals. It must teach them to understand life through a study of history, science, religion and philosophy and it must also teach them to enjoy their lives through friendships and relationships, observance of nature, and study of art and literature,” the President said.
He stressed on providing value-based education to the youth by inculcating in them the spirit of democratic behaviour which calls for an appreciation of the rich diversity of our nation, assimilation of ideas, and accommodation for divergent or contrarians views.
The President said Gender equality is essential for building an inclusive society. Unless women participate on equal terms and in equal numbers in the process of nation-building, all efforts will remain incomplete.
He also stressed on building a Swachh India, Swasth India, a digitally-empowered India, educated and skilled India, and a tolerant, harmonious and peaceful India where the last person feels a part of the narrative of the country.
Follow our WhatsApp channel