December 18, 2025 05:30 pm (IST)
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Pranab stresses on expansion of primary and higher education in India
Kolkata, Apr 2, (IBNS): President Pranab Mukherjee participated in the celebration of the 100th year of the advent of the Divine Adya Mata organized by Dakshineswar Ramakrishna Sangha Adyapeath at Kolkata on Thursday.
He also inaugurated Adyapeath Annada B. Ed. College and an orphanage for boys on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the President said that he was pleased to see the numerous activities that have been taken up in the various centres of the Dakshineswar Ramakrishna Sangha Adyapeath- particularly the old age home, the home for widows, the charitable dispensary, the girls’ school, Sanskrit Mahavidhyalaya and Teachers Training Institute.
The Adyapeath has never discriminated against any religion or caste or section of society. It is a symbol of communal harmony that has opened its doors to give the local inhabitants medical treatment and spiritual succor.
Mukherjee stressed on the need for expansion of primary, higher and tertiary education facilities in the country so as to enhance opportunities of employment for younger generation.
He appreciated the contributions of Adyapith in expanding the education from primary level to the higher one and also the recent initiatives taken by this social organization in educating teachers in the form of B. Ed. College as well as giving home to thousand orphan boys.
Referring to the golden era of education in the country between 3rd Century BC and 12th Century AD when universities like Nalanda, Ujjaini existed in the country, Shri Mukherjee said that it inspired students and scholars from foreign nations like China and Tibet to come to India for higher studies.
"But after the 12th Century AD, the education system started losing its glory," he added.
The President said that the quality of higher education in the country must improve. The 11th Five Year Plan had made provisions for improving the quality of higher education in the country. India has over 700 (including 48 Central Universities) Universities, 16 IITs and 30 NIITs and around 36,000 Degree colleges.
"Nearly 2 crore students participate in informal and tertiary education. Despite these numbers, international education rating agencies have not placed any of these institutions within the best 200 of the world. On the whole, the quality of education in the country needs to be improved," the President observed.
He said, during the 11th and 12th Five Year Plan the Indian education system has experienced several changes, but what is needed, is that the education should be according to the requirements and the teachers should be more alert and encourage innovations and research works.
Mukherjee observed that in the past, luminaries like Sir C.V. Raman, Shri S. N. Bose, Shri J.C. Bose who brought laurels to India were from Calcutta University. But, after independence Dr. Hargovind Khurana, Dr. Chandrashekhar and Dr. Amartya Sen got the Nobel Prize for their achievements in foreign universities though their foundations were in India. It is therefore absolutely critical that the right environment is created for excellence in higher education in the country,he added.
Governor of West Bengal Keshri Nath Tripathy, Justice Shyamal Kumar Sen, Member of Parliament Sougata Roy, Swami Suhitananda Maharaj, General Secretary, Ramkrishna Math and Ramkrishna Misson were present on the occasion.
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