Educate women to empower entire society: Vice-president Venkaiah Naidu

Kozhikode: Vice-president Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the valedictory function of platinum jubilee celebrations of Farook Rouzathul Uloom Association and Arabic College, at Farook College on Saturday. He stressed the need for educating women as it would empower the entire society. He also expressed his pleasure on the fact that among the 10,000 students of Farook College, 6000 are girls. He said all religious traditions had emphasised the value of knowledge and learning. In fact, the first word of the Holy Quran is ‘Iqra’ or ‘Read’, and one of the prayers is “O My Lord advance me in knowledge”.

Bhagavad Gita also says "there is nothing in this world which is purer than knowledge”, Mr Naidu said quoting hymns. Urging the academic community on the need of approaching the process of teaching and learning seriously, he said education was an emancipatory tool. “It liberates us from dependence, restores self-confidence and enhances self-esteem”, he said. Highlighting the private-public partnership in ensuring quality education.

“Both governments as well as private institutions have to seize the opportunity to shape the future of our great country”. “If we provide our children and youth good quality opportunities to acquire skills and knowledge, the country can make a quantum leap in terms of development” he added.

"If not, we may run the risk of a rapid decline in the growth process, widening gaps between different sections of our society which might negate economic progress. “So it is the time our educational managers, teachers and researchers should help build a system that has ‘equity’ and ‘quality’ as the two guiding principles. "Each child is important for us. Each moment we spend with the child and the young is precious.”