Manmohan endorses Knowledge Commission thrust on a 'access'

New Delhi, Jan 12 (UNI) Endorsing the National Knowledge Commission affirmation that access to knowledge was the key to tapping the country's potential for development, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the challenge was to enhance the capabilities and skills of every citizen.

''For too long we have viewed the size of our population as an economic and social liability. However, an educated, skilled, healthy and empowered people are an asset,'' said the Prime Minister.

He was speaking after releasing the first annual report of the National Knowledge Commission, appointed by him in October 2005, here this evening.

Dr Singh said the real challenge was to change the mindsets and seek creative means of building a knowledge-based society and economy.

''I am happy to see that you have addressed the major problem of the ''bottom of the pyarmid'', namely, access...This is consistent with the objective of building an inclusive society, the guiding principel of our government,'' he said.

The Report highlighted key areas where change could significantly improve people's inclusion and capability in existing and new fields of knowledge. This entailed reform in education, learning processes, governnance, enrichment of knowledge institutions. The commmission laid special emphasis on translations across all Indian langauges to further knowledge creation and dessiminate information.

The Knowledge Commision is a high-level advisory body to the Prime Minister. It has been mandated to guide policy and direct reforms, focusing on certain key areas such as education, science and technology, agriculture, industry, e-governance etc.

The Prime Minister said the Commission should not only guide reforms in government policy, but must also be actively involved in implementation of its innovative ideas.

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