 "Real dirt lies not on streets but in minds: Pranab Mukherjee")
President of India Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said the real dirt in India was not on the streets but in the minds, in an apparent reference to the recent incidents of “intolerance.”
Speaking at the inauguration of the Archives and Research Centre at Sabarmati Ashram on Tuesday, Mukherjee said, “The real dirt of India lies not on the streets but in our minds and in our unwillingness to let go of views that divide society into them and us. Everyday, we see unprecedented violence all around us. At the heart of this violence is darkness, fear and mistrust. While we invent new modes of combating this ever spiralling violence, we must not forget the power of non-violence, dialogue and reason.”
Citing Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of India as an inclusive nation where every section of population lived in equality and enjoyed equal opportunity, Mukherjee said Indian society must free public discourse of all forms of violence — physical and verbal.
“Swachh Bharat, according to Bapu, implied a clean mind, clean body and clean environment. Every citizen has a duty to rededicate themselves to create a clean external and internal environment of self and society to make Swachh Bharat possible. I am certain you will make ideal citizens who will endeavour to keep our country Swachh and make it Samarth,” Mukherjee said at the 62nd convocation ceremony of Gujarat Vidyapith, said a PTI report.
Mukherjee lamented the lack of institutes in India “conforming to high standards of education”. A dip in number of students from some countries coming to India for higher studies was a worrying sign. “Many meritorious students leave the shores of our country and study abroad due to lack of institutes in India conforming to high standards of education. Not many international students come to India for higher studies either. It is a worrying sign that the number of students from seven out of the top eight countries in this respect — US, Germany, France, South Korea, Australia, China and Singapore — have dipped 73 per cent in 2014. We must do all (possible things) at our end to reverse this trend and make India emerge as a quality and affordable education destination for students outside.”
As a remedial measure, Mukherjee suggested promoting research at undergraduate level and developing scientific temper among students. “The developmental challenges faced by our country call for an inspired response from the higher education system. Quality and relevant research can help tide over our socio-economic problems. To build a research eco-system, we need to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach, promote research at undergraduate level and develop scientific temper in the students. Due thrust on innovation is required to transform novel ideas into ‘viable-cum-enviable products’,” said Mukherjee, who is on a three-day visit to Gujarat.
Mukherjee also lamented that despite focused attention on innovation in recent years, India lagged behind many countries on this front. “At 81st position in the Global Innovation Index 2015, we have much ground to cover. An efficient setup for mentoring innovative ideas and nurturing grassroots innovations could see our country surge ahead in innovation,” he added.
