Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani said here today that the government would soon initiate a "state-wise, region-wise and national" debate to formulate a new education policy required for current times.
"The last time the national education policy was formulated was in 1986. If we have to make 'Made in India' a grand label, then we need a course correction in our education policy. I am happy to share here that we will initiate a state-wise, region-wise, national debate and deliberation to formulate a new education policy," she said at a symposium on 'Restructuring our education system with Bharateeya perspective of values', organised by the Keshav Memorial Educational Society as part of its platinum jubilee celebrations.
Regretting that adequate knowledge and awareness on the greatness of Indian legends in different fields is lacking in the present generation, she said there is a need to celebrate "the glory of ancient India".
Citing a few examples, she said that the great contributions of ancient mathematician-astronomer Aryabhatta on algorithms are realised when students pursue a masters degree in mathematics.
She said that some officials lacked knowledge of Pingali Venkaiah, the freedom fighter who designed the Indian tricolour, when she wanted to conduct an essay competition on him.
The Minister said the youth should know about great Indians, including those still alive, as they often use the Internet to learn about international celebrities.
Recalling celebrated author Mark Twain as having said that India is the birth place of human speech, she said her ministry conducted a 'Sanskrit Saptah' recently in which 90,000 students participated.
