Dehradun:For qualitative improvement in higher education, the two-day national conference “Gyan Kumbh” being organised by Department of Higher Education got underway at Patanjali Vidyapeeth, Haridwar. President Mr. Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated it. On this occasion, Governor of Uttarakhand Shmt. Baby Rani Maurya, Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat, Governor of Nagaland Mr. P.B.Acharya, Higher Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Swami Ramdev, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Mr. Dinesh Sharma along with education ministers of various states, vice chancellors, educationalists and students were present.
In his address, President Mr. Ram Nath Kovind said that there has been tradition of religious Kumbh in the country for centuries. Haridwar is holy land for organising Kumbh. He termed the Gyan Kumbh, organized by the Higher Education Department of Uttarakhand, as a meaningful initiative in the field of higher education. He said that education is the basis of the progress of the individual, family, society and the country. The responsibility of education in the country’s constitution has been given to both the centre and the state. Now coordination is being established among the center and states for qualitative improvement in higher education through Gyan Kumbh and Uttarakhand has presented this example. He hoped that there will be meaningful and useful discussions in different sessions of Gyan Kumbh, which will help in qualitative improvement in higher education.
President said that for qualitative education, teachers and educational institutions have an important role to play. Every child has some talent and to find and refine that talent is the work of the teachers and educational institutions. It must be ensured that no child is deprived of education because of poverty or any other reason. Along with knowledge, sowing the seeds of morals is also the duty of the teachers. But this work can be done only by those teacher, who has commitment for self-sacrifice and are sensitive as well.
President said that there are many motivational examples of ideal teachers in our country. For nation building on the basis of education and ethics, Acharya Chanakya in exemplary for all teachers. President spoke about learning from the lives of Dr. Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar’s teacher Dr. Ambedkar, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
Governor Shmt. Baby Rani Maurya said that organizing Gyan Kumbh in Kumbh Nagari of Haridwar will definitely be beneficial for national educational scenario. The main purpose of organizing this Gyan Kumbh is to improve the level of higher education keeping in mind the modern challenges and requirements. The nectar of knowledge gained from Gyan Kumbh will give a new direction to the country.
Governor said that for the great values and ethics for which India is known today, there is a need to include them in education. Education and teaching work has been considered sacred work since ancient times in India. In India, the importance of the Guru has been told to be more than the parents and God. Hundreds of years ago, there were universities like Nalanda-Taxila in India, where the students used to come from foreign countries. When all the countries of the world had slept in ignorance, at that time as well, the light of knowledge in India was shining brightly. Today is the time of technology. Rapid changes are coming in every field. Therefore, universities need to constantly update their curriculum, so that their utility can be proved. Arrangements of smart and virtual classes, e-libraries, etc. have become necessary today to bring simplicity and quality in teaching methods.
Governor said that one of the parameter for the quality of education is to be employable. With this, it is important to pay attention to students’ personality development. Communication skills and personal development should also be given place in the curriculum along with traditional courses. There is a need to pay special attention to Sanskrit language as well. For this, we all have to work together.
Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat said that organizing Gyan Kumbh is a historic initiative in the field of higher education. The outcome that will emerge from ideological brainstorming in this will prove to be important in improving country’s higher education qualitatively. Education is a wealth that can neither be stolen nor be destroyed. Through educating brightness of wisdom can be spread.
Chief Minister said that there are currently 903 universities in the country and 39,000 colleges. Today’s requirement is to provide qualitative higher education in rural areas. Research in higher education will have to be promoted.
Chief Minister said that the Colleges should come forward for social and economic development in their adjoining areas. University should conduct research that how on the basis of local resources, the needs and aspirations can be fulfilled. This can lead to a major economic and social change. Some institutes are also doing this work. The example of the IIP Dehradun is before all of us. In Uttarakhand, pine is said to be harmful. But the IIP has done a research regarding the production of turpentine oil, diesel and electricity from pine. This can be a boon for us.
Chief Minister said that there is need to lay special attention on IT. Prime Minister has also said that IT + IT = IT (Information Technology + Indian Technology = India Tomorrow). The spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam can be realized from IT. There is need to connect education institutions in remote areas with IT.
Higher Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat while expressing gratitude to the President welcomed all the guests who came in the programme. He said that the education minister of various states, vice chancellors of the universities, principal of 500 degree colleges, 350 research students, 2,000 meritorious students and 10,000 educationalists are participating in Gyan Kumbh. A total of seven technical sessions are being organized in the two-day national conference organized for qualitative improvement in higher education.
