Design policy need of the hour: NID

'Reservations not for ever'

A record number of 88 students with specialisation in different discipline of design graduated from the National Institute of Design (NID) on Wednesday. President A P J Abdul Kalam presided over the 25th convocation ceremony of NID, India's premier design education institute.

Hasmukh Shah, chairman of the governing council of the NID, harped upon the need for more designers, design education institutions, a comprehensive design policy and a design council in the country.

"In the past five years, we have made a renewed effort to highlight the role of design institutions and education. NID and All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) are working together for creating a blueprint for design education in the country," he said.

Shah said that although the present UPA government has shown its readiness in announcing a design policy, this aspect has been neglected for a fairly long time.

"The question is when will this be realised," he said. He also lamented the loss of vision as a nation, which was displayed in the 1960s, which helped create institutions such as the IIMs, AIIMS and NID.

"There is a need to quickly adopt and implement a design education blueprint in the country," Shah said. In his convocation speech, Kalam reiterated his concept of development and competitiveness, stating that students of NID will play an important role in this process.

"The common factor between developed and developing nations is competitiveness and all three dimensions of competitiveness - cost effectiveness, quality and reaching the market at the right time, can be enhanced greatly by NID students," Kalam said.

President A P J Abdul Kalam today participated in a discussion with students of various educational institutions of Ahmedabad.

Answering questions from students, the President said that reservations will not be there for ever, but it cannot be removed immediately.

In reply to a question on reservations in jobs and educational institutions, the President said that people have been deprived for decades, but reservation will not last permanently.

He added that for institutions that teach specialised courses, the only way out is to have more such institutions.

In reply to a question on weapons of mass destruction, the President said, "India has been invaded several times in the past. One cannot wish away these weapons, but India will follow the `No first use' policy."

He added that he is advocating for the creation of a special cell in the armed forces to promote sports and games.

On environmental degradation, he said, "Where there is poverty, environment degradation will take place."