KOCHI: Knowledge is the power of modern education, and value-based learning is the face of Indian education, said Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday.
He was speaking after presenting the Madan Mohan Malavia National Education Award to Amrita Vidya Peetham Vice-chancellor P Venkat Rangan, who received it on behalf of Mata Amrithanandmayi, at the Saraswati Vidyaniketan High School, Chengamanad, Aluva.
“Value-based family system and value -based education are the two strong points of our country. The British Finance Minister recently lauded the two value-based systems of India, while we were discussing the issues plaguing the two countries. When poverty and unemployment are the two primary challenges facing India, Britain has been facing a host of issues including problems in family relationships,” he said. “Our success in social life is mainly attributed to the value-based family system and education system, while the West altogether has been lacking them,” he said, adding that more focus should be given on the quality of education to tackle the emerging challenges. “We need modernisation of education, but not Westernisation as it has a lot of inherent shortcomings when compared to our ancient teaching system. Absence of value in education is the main cause of frustration and disappointment,” the Minister said, and lauded Mata Amrithanandamayi’s contributions to the education sector.
On the occasion, Gadkari hailed the corporate social responsibility activities of Cochin Shipyard, which extended support to Saraswati Vidyaniketan High School for constructing a new block.