August 17, 2026 04:01 am (IST)
Follow us:
Pranab calls for skilling of India's large workforce through training
Kolkata, Nov 29 (IBNS): President Pranab Mukherjee has called for the skilling of India's large workforce, which accounts for two-third of her population, through proper training and education.
He was speaking on the occasion of the closing ceremony of the 150th Anniversary of Metropolitan Institution at Kolkata on Saturday.
The President said: "The progress of our nation is contingent on the drive, motivation, initiative and energy of our youth. India boasts of the largest population of young people in the world. This demographic dividend can be reaped only through education."
He pointed out that India has the largest secondary education system in the world with total enrolment of over 10.7 crore. Yet, the gross enrolment ratio at the secondary education level is a mere 53 in India as compared to 96 in the US, 94 in South Africa and 89 in Russia and Mexico respectively.
Mukherjee stated that more than two lakh meritorious students leave the country for pursuing higher studies in foreign universities and none of our institutions are ranked in the top 200 positions by reputed international surveys.
"Yet, there was a time between 6th century B.C. and 12th century AD when scholars from around the globe used to flock to Indian seats of higher learning like Nalanda, Takshashila and Vikramshila," he said.
The President said standards of education in the country must be improved and education made affordable for meritorious students from all backgrounds.
"There is also need to create a large pool of good quality and committed teachers who can be entrusted the responsibility of shaping the next generation," he added.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Modi’s 'Dimagi Naxal' remark ignites political war: Chidambaram responds with ‘proud’ swipe, Rijiju clarifies comment
Sun, Aug 16 2026
Shocking Airport incident: Passenger’s gun goes off during security screening in Varanasi, 2 injured
Sun, Aug 16 2026
Kerala Vande Mataram row: BJP accuses UDF government of 'appeasing extremist groups'
Sun, Aug 16 2026
'Entering politics was a mistake': Ex-Bengal deputy speaker Asish Banerjee's suicide note recovered
Sun, Aug 16 2026
Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff get Maharashtra FDA notice over Vimal Elaichi ad
Sun, Aug 16 2026
‘Students must be free to express their views’: Bar Council chief apologises after NALSAR row
Sat, Aug 15 2026
BJP accuses Sonia Gandhi of objecting to full Vande Mataram rendition; Congress dismisses claim
Sat, Aug 15 2026