Oscar worried over brain drain

Shillong, Feb 4 (PTI) Chairman of the ParliamentaryStanding Committee on Education Oscar Fernandes todayexpressed concern over the brain drain from the country to thealluring western countries.

"The talent generated in the country is being takenaway by the western countries and these people are helpingbuild the nations. We have to retain this pool of talent bycreating opportunities in our country," Fernandes said at thevaledictory function of the 17th national conference of IndianColleges Forum here.

He said most IITians do not benefit the country asthey are roped in by companies abroad with lucrative offers.

"However, now with our economy growing, these peopleare migrating back to India," the MP said.

Claiming that the Centre has attached utmost priorityto the education sector, he said it was a mission of the UPAgovernment to take education to every child.

"Once, institutions like Nalanda made India adestination for knowledge. We have to regain this status as adestination in search of knowledge," he said.

Ruing that only about 12 per cent of the 110 millionyouths of India in the age group of 18-24 are enrolled inhigher education, Fernandes said there was need to increasethis percentage and that the Centre intends to bring it toabout 20 per cent in the next plan.