Rajiv saw education as an enabling and empowering force: Arjun

Mumbai, Aug 24 (UNI) Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Arjun Singh today said that the comprehensive initiatives announced by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in his Independence Day address will fasten the pace of progress in strengthening the educational sector.

''Slowing of the pace was due to lack of funds. But, under the new plan, there will be no paucity of funds,'' Mr Singh said while speaking at the 2nd Rajiv Gandhi Oration at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Contemporary Studies at the Mumbai University's Kalina Campus here.

Mr Singh also announced a University Grant Commission (UGC) grant of Rs two crore for the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for contemporary studies at the University. The HRD minister also handed over the certificate of autonomy to the Centre.

Describing Late Rajiv Gandhi as a multi-faceted personality dedicated to the cause of making India strong and self-vibrant, Mr Singh said, ''The late leader considered education as enabling and empowering force for every citizen.'' ''He initiated wide spread consultations for academicians, administration and students to formulate the national education policy 1986 which still guides the country's education policy,'' Mr Singh added.

Recalling that Rajiv Gandhi had futuristic ideas to overcome the problems faced by the country to achieve the goal of seeing India as a strong power of 21st century, PM said that capacity expansion, equality and equity in the education field were the principles Rajiv initiated and these were guiding his ministry to ensure that imparting education was fair and just in a country as large and diverse as India.

UNI