News18 India’s special gathering, ‘News18 India Chaupal’, is ongoing, featuring prominent figures from various domains including politics, arts and industry. The event commenced with Earth Sciences Cabinet Minister Kiren Rijiju, followed by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, and numerous others joining in.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also took part in the gathering and delivered several significant remarks from the platform. The Education Minister said that it marks the fourth year of the implementation of the NEP, or New Education Policy, and highlighted the numerous benefits accruing to the education sector as a result. Additionally, he noted that the recently presented interim budget allocates the highest investment in education witnessed in the past 2-3 decades.
Dharmendra Pradhan stated that a budget of Rs 1.21 lakh crore has been earmarked for education, with a provision for a corpus fund of Rs 1 lakh crore to foster innovation. This includes offering interest-free loans for 50 years to individuals, organisations or private industries engaged in research and development to promote entrepreneurship. The Education Minister also highlighted that, for the first time in India’s education sector, the new education policy has sparked contemplation beyond the traditional Macaulay method.
In contrast to the Macaulay system, which prioritised the promotion of a single language, the new policy places emphasis on students learning in their native languages. Pradhan stated, “We have no aversion to any language, but students will thrive by learning in their mother tongue.” He highlighted the critical role of India’s education system and skill development in propelling the nation towards development, stating that they are the two essential pillars for India’s advancement as a developed country.
Dharmendra Pradhan is the son of Debendra Pradhan, who served as a Minister of State in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government from 1999 to 2004. Born on June 26, 1969, into the Khandayat caste in Odisha state, he is from the city of Talcher. Pradhan began his political journey as an activist with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) while studying at Talcher College in Odisha. He later rose to become the president of the student union at Talcher College. Pradhan holds a post-graduate degree in Anthropology from Utkal University in Bhubaneswar.
Comments
0 comment