Brain drain affecting nation's progress: VP

Raipur, Oct 13: Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhwat today said there was a need to check brain drain as it was adversely affecting the nation's progress.

Speaking at a function after laying the foundation stone of the new building of government engineering college here, he said ''youth must go abroad if they get opportunities to acquire knowledge and obtain training in new subjects. But they must return to serve the the society and the nation''.

Referring to the target of making India a developed country by 2020, Mr Shekhawat said it would be possible only if the country made economic progress and the students got equal opportunities for higher and technical education.

Stating that Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa have vast mineral resources, he said these states would require technically qualified and trained manpower once these states start exploiting minerals and establish industries based on them. More courses in engineering are required to meet the demand for manpower, he added.

The Chhattisgarh government has established a new engineering college in state capital after the existing government engineering college, Raipur was converted into National Institute of Technology(NIT).

State Governor Lt.Gen (Retd) K M Seth, Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh and his cabinet colleagues and BJP MP Ramesh Bais were among those present.

UNI