New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday said determined efforts should be made
to make Jammu and Kashmir a hub of knowledge, innovation and learning by implementing National Education
Policy 2020 in letter and spirit.
Appreciating the scholarly pursuits of the region, the President said these steps would make Jammu and
Kashmir once again a "Firdaus on earth, a bright jewel in the crown of Mother India" as it was referred
to in the medieval age.
"My dream is to see Jammu and Kashmir emerge as a centre of knowledge, enterprise, innovation and skill
development," he told a conference on implementation of NEP in Jammu and Kashmir which he addressed through a video message.
Underlining the importance of NEP, the President noted India's unprecedented demographic dividend that could
be positively realised only if the majority of the young become skilled, professionally competent, and above
all educated in the real sense. Reposing faith in the children of Jammu and Kashmir, he said the union
territory "is a reservoir of extremely intelligent, talented and innovative children" and implementation
of NEP 2020 would produce students with "ignited minds", an official release here said.
While emphasising on value-based education, President Kovind said, 'It is important to understand our
tradition and rich cultural heritage which can be achieved only in our mother tongue', he observed that
the three-language formula envisioned in this policy was of immense significance and could promote
multilingualism as well as national unity but at the same time no language will be imposed on any state
or union territory.
The conference is being attended by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Vice Chancellors of
Universities and Principals of Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir as well as other stakeholders in Srinagar
today.
The NEP, he said, focuses on ensuring accessibility, equality, affordability, accountability and quality
in education and the emphasis on vocational education will be helpful in achieving the goal of Aatmanirbhar
Bharat.
UNI SD SB 1501