The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Literacy generation the biggest challenge, says Pitroda

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 03, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Literacy generation the biggest challenge, says Pitroda

Special Correspondent

Infant mortality also needs to be focussed upon

SOME THOUGHTS: Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandareswari and Madras University Vice-Chancellor S.P. Thyagarajan at the inauguration of the two-day national seminar on human capital organised by the Guru Shree Shantivija y Jain College in the city on Thursday. — Photo: V. Ganesan

CHENNAI: Literacy generation and creation of knowledge resources are the biggest challenges facing the country at the moment, Sam Pitroda, Chairman, Knowledge Commission, Government of India, has said.

He said this in a message broadcast to the two-day national seminar on `Human Capital - Perspective and Growth,' organised by Guru Shree Shantivijai Jain College for Women here on Thursday.

Female literacy and infant mortality also needed to be focussed upon and there was a need for upgrading both the quantity and quality of those seeking higher education. Key issues on the commission's agenda included access to knowledge, knowledge concept/creation/application and knowledge-related services.

A strong research and development base was needed to focus on areas of knowledge creation and sectors that needed attention included agriculture, health and industry, especially the small-scale sector. The University of Madras was planning to revise its curriculum from the current academic year and introduce social orientation education, Vice-Chancellor S.P. Thyagarajan said.

Electives such as environmental education, social programming and human resources development would be included. A United Nations Development Programme-sponsored programme on Human Development would also be introduced soon, he added.

D. Purandareswari, Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development; eminent ophthalmologist S.S. Badrinath; P. Gautam Vaid, honorary secretary of the college, and M.K.Malathi, principal, participated.

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