“I urge parents not to compare their children with those of others and not to treat their children like podiums on stages. We have also seen that those parents who have not been very successful in their lives have nothing to say or want to tell the world about their successes and achievements, make the report card of their children their visiting card. Whenever they meet someone, they will tell them the story of their children…”
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, addressing students and parents at the seventh edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha (January 31)
“Curiously the UGC seems to have nothing to say on the quality of education in universities. Instead, it deploys all its resources and energies to procedural matters that are best left to the educational institutions themselves.”
Pulapre Balakrishnan, honorary visiting professor, Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, in an essay titled ‘The UGC’s mandate is to elevate, not strangulate’ (The Hindu, February 25)
“Considering the current social and economic conditions, the country requires a system where anyone from any region can find employment. This necessity, keeping in mind the social, cultural and economic needs, has been emphasized by experts and they suggest that the trilingual formula for education is a useful system.”
Dharmendra Pradhan, Union education minister, endorsing the NEP 2020’s three-language formula (The Indian Express, March 4)
“If Indian women were freed from the burden of preparing elaborate meals (with some additional help from other family members), think of the labour, talent and skills that could be redirected into the economy? How much could that alone contribute to our GDP? Instead of whipping up daily feasts, they might work harder at their jobs, start businesses or develop new skills.”
Chetan Bhagat, well-known author, in an essay ‘MUGS and Mrs: Phulka patriarchy comes at a cost’ (Times of India, March 9)