Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon 2020 through video conference today.

Speaking at the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon, PM said that students are working on several solutions to the challenges being faced by the country. Along with providing solutions to the problems, it also strengthens India’s aspirations regarding Data, Digitization and Hi-tech Future. Acknowledging that in the fast paced 21st century, India needs to swiftly change itself to continue playing an effective role,  the Prime Minister said that the necessary ecosystem is being built in the country for Innovation, Research, Design, Development and Entrepreneurship. He asserted that the aim is to make India’s education more modern, and to create opportunities for talent. 

Speaking on the National Education Policy, the Prime Minister said it was drafted keeping in mind the thoughts, needs, hopes and aspirations of 21st-century youth. This is not just a policy document but also a reflection of aspirations of more than 130 crore Indians, he added. He said “Even today many children feel that they are judged on the basis of a subject in which they have no interest. Due to the pressure from parents, relatives, friends etc children are forced to pursue the subjects chosen by others. This has resulted in a large population, which is well-educated, but most of what they have read is not useful for them.” 

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

The Prime Minister said that emphasis on interdisciplinary study is one of the most exciting features of the New Education Policy.

Quoting Baba Saheb Ambedkar that education should be accessible to all, PM 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 per cent 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 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. 

PM said while the Policy focuses on Local, equal emphasis has been laid on global integration. Top Global Institutions have been encouraged to open campuses in India. This will benefit Indian youth in getting world-class exposure and opportunities, and help them prepare for global competition as well.  This will also help in building world-class institutions in India, making India a hub of global education.