Experts debate whether IT can curb hunger and violence

New Delhi, Jan 28 (UNI) Information technology revolutionised the socio-economic set-up of India from connecting people to far and wide places to providing new dimensions to education. But has it helped in curbing ''hunger and violence'' was the moot question raised during a national dialogue on 'An India without Hunger and Violence' organised by IGNOU and Indian Council of Gandhian Studies.

The dialogue was organised to commemorate 100 years of 'Satyagraha'.

Debating on whether education can help in building a society free from hunger and violence here yesterday, Prof Priyankar Upadhyaya from Banaras Hindu University said, '' Human civilisation is 3400 years old, only 286 years of it did not see any violence. Bloodshed alone is not violence even malnutrition is violence.'' ''From centuries we have been facing violence in different forms be it direct, structural or cultural. In today's world it has become important for academics to impart education not only confined to books but to the world outside as well. It is our responsibility to enable the students to secure mental as well as emotional balance if we really want to uproot violence,'' he opinied.

Agreeing with Prof Upadhyaya, Dr Govind from department of Information Technology, Government of India, said,''Information Technology has changed the face of India, it has brought us nearer to other cultures of the world so that we can live in harmony with them. IT can prove to be a milestone in changing the future of our country if it is used constructively.'' ''Today, if our youth is strong and self-reliant hunger and violence will be eradicated,'' he added.

Prof N P Singh from S N Sinha Institute of Business Management, Ranchi said, ''we have a greater role to play, things are changing at a faster pace and if we have to combat hunger and violence we will have to strengthen our pillars through quality education.'' ''Education should reach to every nook and cranny of the country, its the right of every citizen of India. Government should formulate policies to provide quality education to all,'' he added.

In India, there is a clear demarcation between people on the basis of colour, caste, creed and financial status and the quality of education they receive depends on the background they hail from.

Government should dilute this difference first and foremost, he emphasised.

UNI