From research to design to development, India is being readied to catch the momentum of the world of 21st century.

From research to design to development, India is being readied to catch the momentum of the world of 21st century.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said a necessary ecosystem is being built in India for innovation, research, design, development and entrepreneurship in order to enable the country to swiftly change itself into playing an effective role among the comity of nations. He said so while speaking at the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon.

“This Hackathon is not the first problem you have tried to solve, nor is this the last,” the Prime Minister said, wishing the youngsters to continue doing three things: Learning, Questioning and Solving.

He said when one learns, one gets the wisdom to question and India’s National Education Policy reflects this spirit. He added the focus is shifting from the burden of the school bag, which does not last beyond school, to the boon of learning which helps for life, from simply memorising to critical thinking.

He said that New Education Policy focuses on Learning, Research and Innovation to make the school, college and university experience: Fruitful, Broad-based and one that guides to one's natural passions.

The Prime Minister said emphasis on interdisciplinary study is one of the most exciting features of the New Education Policy. This concept has been gaining popularity, as one size does not fit all. He said that emphasis on interdisciplinary study will ensure the focus is on what the student wants to learn rather than what the student is expected to do by the society.

Quoting Baba Saheb Ambedkar that education should be accessible to all, the Prime Minister said that this education policy is also dedicated to his idea of accessible education. National Education Policy is big on access to education, starting from primary education. He said the policy aims to increase Gross Enrolment Ratio in Higher Education to 50 percent by 2035. He added this education policy emphasizes on creating job creators rather than job seekers. That is, in a way an attempt to bring reform in our mindset and in our approach.

The Prime Minister also said the new education policy will help the Indian languages to progress and develop further. He said students will benefit by learning in their own language in their early years. He added that the new education policy will also introduce the rich Indian languages to the world.