Inculcate democratic values in students, President tells VCs

President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday emphasised that “core values” of democracy should be inculcated in students and the next generation must learn to recognise India’s diversity, inclusiveness and assimilative capacities as inherent sources of strength.

“Our civilisation has championed patriotism, pluralism, tolerance, honesty and discipline. Our democracy has thrived on these values. The next generation must learn to recognise our diversity, inclusiveness and assimilative capacities as inherent sources of strength,” he said after inaugurating a two-day conference of central university vice-chancellors (VCs) at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday.

Noting that students should be helped to develop a “scientific temper” which takes one’s imagination beyond the realm of grades and classroom, the president asked the teachers to inculcate in them the habit of reading and learning through books to sharpen their “energetic and inquisitive minds”. “Books also break societal and cultural barriers” he added.

This is the third conference of VCs convened by the President since he assumed office. Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani and other dignitaries attended the first day of the conference along with 40 VCs of the central varsities.At the conference, Mukherjee asked the HRD Ministry to “expeditiously” develop a national ranking framework for higher educational institutions of the country.

Indian universities should strive to improve their position in the international rankings, he said.

“There is a need to imbue young minds with competitive spirit and a sense of pride in their alma mater,” he added.