Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the Canara School (CBSE Curriculum) of the Canara High School Association at Kodialbail here on Thursday, Pai said that while only 12.4 per cent youth between the age group of 18-25 join colleges in the nation, nearly 8.7 crore youngsters are deprived of college education.

It is the poor financial background of the families which deprives majority of youths the privilege of higher education, he added.

He said that the nation will be the third biggest economy in the world within 20 years. “About 300 million people fought for the freedom of our nation. India remained as a poor nation for more than 150 years because our national wealth were being taken away by the Western countries. India can be developed into a rich nation if people nurture dreams in their minds,” he added.

“India does not belong to politicians alone. Meanwhile, the nation belongs to every citizen. Hence, each one of us should dream about a nation which is free from poverty, hunger and illiteracy,” Pai said and pointed out that 300 million people in India go to bed without food everyday.

Though India has been freed from the British, conflicts based on caste, religion and language hinders the development of the nation. A section of the citizens always try to divide the nation through Naxalism and separatism. Violence, gender disparity on women and female infanticide are some of the other grave issues before the nation which should be addressed. “We have to make our dreams true through dedication,” he added. 

Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Mangalore South MLA N Yogish Bhat, Mangalore City Corporation Mayor M Shanker Bhat, Nitte University Chancellor N Vinaya Hegde, Century Group Chairman P Dayananda Pai, Director P Satish Pai, Canara College Association President Dr U S Mohandas Nayak and Honourary Secretary M Annappa Pai were present.

The two new institutions are dedicated to the founder, Ammembal Subba Rao Pai on the occasion of commemoration of his 100th birth anniversary.