ENGLISH SHORTHAND DICTATION - 104

 

I am delighted to deliver the valedictory address at the two-day International Webinar on “Gandhi and the World” organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs. I appreciate ICWA for organizing this event on Mahatma Gandhi to culminate with the two-year celebration of Gandhiji’s 150th Birth Anniversary. During these two days, the seminar reflected on Gandhiji’s principles and their impact and relevance across the world. There is a timelessness about Gandhian values. They seem to be relevant for all countries and for all times. However, they acquire greater relevance in a world that is facing new challenges. The world is facing one of the biggest health crises in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. When the world experienced a similar challenge¹²⁰ in 1918 during the Spanish Flu, Gandhiji spoke about the need to understand the pain of all people, especially the¹⁴⁰ poor and the underprivileged. These are truly testing times. The pandemic has wrought unimaginable havoc on the economies of various¹⁶⁰ nations and severely impacted the lives of the people, particularly the poor and marginalized sections. These are the times to extend a helping hand to the needy and mitigate their hardship. As stated by the Mahatma of the need to understand the pain of the people during the Spanish Flu, the present times call for empathy and not sympathy towards the poor. As you all are aware, Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday is recognised and celebrated as the ‘International Day of Non-Violence’²⁴⁰ by the United Nations. It not only symbolises the ever-lasting imprint that the Mahatma had left on humanity, but is also a constant reminder to the world that peace is an essential prerequisite for progress. Mahatma Gandhi had showed the²⁸⁰ world a novel mode of struggle against injustice, a novel way of life through his message of truth and non-violence. He became a beacon of light for the oppressed in the 20th century and continues to be one even today, ³²⁰ 72 years after his death. His efforts to liberate India from colonial rule, modelled after a philosophy entrenched in the values of truth and non-violence, paved the way for the country’s independence and inspired struggles against injustice and atrocities world³⁶⁰ over.

It gladdens me today to see that scholars from India and 14 countries are participating in this webinar. Your presence and work on the life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi underlines the importance of his messages, values and teachings and their eternal relevance, cutting across barriers of race, class, creed, gender and geography. While Satyagraha and Ahimsa were the⁴²⁰ two pillars of the Mahatma’s philosophy, what is most inspiring in the Mahatma's life, is his unwavering belief in the innate goodness of humanity. Mahatma believed that there are no evil people, only evil deeds. In a world where incidents of terrorism, warfare and heinous crimes are shaking one's faith in humanity, one must always remember the teachings of Mahatma⁴⁸⁰ Gandhi. The universal themes of truth, non-violence and peace are probably more relevant today than ever before. The world has changed significantly since the Mahatma was assassinated in 1948. From the development of the hydrogen bomb to climate change and global terrorism to growing materialism and the extraordinary growth of IT, it is a world that is questing for sustainable development. It is a world that is looking for solutions to intractable challenges. The world today needs a healing touch. ⁵⁶⁰ That is what Gandhian ideals can give our world. Perhaps, no other time can be more relevant than the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, to remember his universally-acclaimed legacy, teachings, morals and principles. Mahatma Gandhi’s greatness lies in his⁶⁰⁰ ability and willingness to learn. He not only influenced the world deeply, but allowed the world to equally influence and inspire his ideas. Mahatma Gandhi’s views and principles will continue to be the guiding light for overcoming various challenges⁶⁴⁰ facing the humanity—from promoting sustainable development and self-reliance to combating terrorism. He believed in cooperation and collaboration, which is a global necessity today, be it for fighting pandemic or poverty. Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy and his concept of Sarvodaya have been constant guiding light to our Government which is committed to ensuring a peaceful and prosperous India. To carry forward Mahatma⁷⁰⁰ Gandhi’s emphasis on cleanliness, Prime Minister launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to realize the goal of clean cities and villages⁷²⁰ across the country. In the world raven with the social, political, economic as well as environmental problems, revival of Gandhian ideals is the need of the hour. I would like to compliment all the scholars who participated in this webinar. The participation from so many countries underlines the relevance of Gandhiji’s legacy to the contemporary world.      

I am happy to address this conference on the implementation of the National Education Policy in Jammu and Kashmir, which used to be⁸⁰⁰ rightly called the Paradise on Earth. Through this conference, we must deliberate the methods and devise the ways to restore this region its glory, using education as a tool. In my opinion, there could not be a better way to realize⁸⁴⁰ your dreams than through education. The National Education Policy, approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2020, is nothing short of a revolution. So far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, I have been meeting and interacting with school children from the region at Rashtrapati Bhavan every year. In my own experience, I can say it with conviction that Jammu and Kashmir is a reservoir of extremely intelligent, talented and innovative children. I feel that the implementation of the education policy will produce students with ignited minds. Such youth would unleash the hidden potential and take India to greater heights in future. The unfolding of India’s growth story rests on the talent and energy of its youth. Our nation has⁹⁶⁰ an unprecedented demographic dividend but it can be realized only if the young people constituting a substantial segment of the⁹⁸⁰ population become skilled, professionally competent, and above all educated in the real sense. In this regard, the National Education Policy will prove to be a milestone. I firmly believe that education is the biggest catalyst for change and the youth is the most potent agent of social transformation. Whenever these two forces have come together, they have changed the course of history.

 

Jammu and Kashmir is a land of rich and diverse cultural traditions. From Hinduism to Buddhism to Sufi Islam, all faiths and beliefs have found home in the cultural ethos of this land. This peaceful and shared coexistence¹⁰⁸⁰ manifests in the lives of its people. We should always remember that education brings people together; it is ignorance that divides. Jammu and Kashmir since time immemorial has been a centre of literature and learning, science and spirituality. The creative¹¹²⁰ innovations of Kashmiris in almost all areas of art and thought have been highly significant. Any history of India’s cultural traditions will remain incomplete without taking them into consideration. It is not at all surprising that Kashmir became a favoured place for the pan-Indian intellectual community and also for scholars from other countries, to gather here and interact on issues related to different disciplines and fields of knowledge. The quest for knowledge was uplifted by the serene Himalayan surroundings, turning¹²⁰⁰ it into a quest for the meaning of life. I feel that a land with such a great and shining past should strive hard to add new chapters of excellence and achievements to its history. I wonder why the land of such scholarly accomplishments cannot walk along with the rest of the world on the path of progress and academic¹²⁶⁰ excellence. If we want to ensure that our children and youth excel in life, we have to ensure value-based education¹²⁸⁰ for them. To understand your value system, you need to understand your roots, your tradition and rich cultural heritage. This understanding cannot be complete without taking your mother tongue into consideration.

 

In this context, I feel the National Education Policy has done a great service. The most encouraging feature of the Policy is that it adheres to the cultural ethos of each region. The three-language formula which is envisioned in this policy is of immense significance and can promote multilingualism as well as national unity. However, there will be greater flexibility in the three-language formula, and no language will be imposed on any State or Union Territory. Education is the biggest enabler. It enables us to take charge of our¹⁴⁰⁰ destiny and we want to enable the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to become masters of their fate. The new policy, with its emphasis on vocational education, has given us a blueprint to realize this dream. Prime Minister has given¹⁴⁴⁰ a call to make India self-reliant, and this is possible only when we make our youth self-reliant. Vocational training will play an important role in this regard. The policy focuses on ensuring accessibility, equality, affordability, accountability and quality in education and also tends to encourage skill development, experience-based learning and logical thinking. I think this will ensure new and better pedagogical standards in the country. We live in an era where research and innovation are the keys to success and development. Jammu and Kashmir is a land of extremely talented people. Its youth have excelled in every field. Today, when we are seeing a new dawn in Jammu and Kashmir, we want the youth of this land to be the harbinger of change by excelling in their respective fields. The National Education Policy will help them realize their true potential and make their dreams come true. My dream is to see Jammu and Kashmir emerge as a centre of knowledge, ¹⁶⁰⁰ enterprise, innovation and skill development.