Pitroda stresses on the role of knowledge in future-building

Surat, Jan 20 (UNI) National Knowledge Commission chairman and IT guru Sam Pitroda has said that in the 21st century, the main driving force of our economic development will be knowledge.

He said the fundamentals of the education system must be reformulated to provide the majority with access to knowledge.

Mr Pitroda was speaking on the occassion of the award giving ceremony organised by Vishwa Gujarati Samaj here yesterday.

''After technology the next force to determine a major change will be knowledge and the National Knowledge Comission was formed with five focus areas -- access, concept, creation, application and improving governance,'' Mr Pitroda said.

He said India's major resource is the vast 550 million-strong youth.

''It is India's greatest wealth,'' he said.

As much as 40 per cent of the population is still denied basic amenities and poverty is still at large. To give the poor access to education is a major challenge.

UNI