Higher education foundation for Viksit Bharat 2047, says Uttarakhand CM Dhami
Dehradun, May 30
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said higher education is not merely a means of acquiring knowledge but the foundation for building a developed, self-reliant and prosperous India.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while addressing a symposium on the theme "The Importance of Higher Education in Building Viksit Bharat 2047" at Shivalik College of Engineering, Dehradun, on Saturday, said that higher education is not merely a means of acquiring knowledge but the foundation for building a developed, self-reliant, and prosperous India.
He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unprecedented transformations have taken place in the fields of education, innovation, research, and skill development, which will play a crucial role in realising the vision of making India a developed nation by 2047.
The Chief Minister said that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a historic initiative aimed at restoring the ancient glory of India's education system. The policy promotes the holistic development of students, encourages innovation, research, and practical skills, and prepares them to meet future challenges. He emphasised that higher educational institutions should evolve beyond teaching centres and become hubs of knowledge, research, and innovation excellence.
He further stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India is emerging as one of the world's leading startup hubs, while initiatives such as Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat have accelerated the country's growth journey. Today, India is establishing a strong global identity across sectors, including science, technology, defence, space, healthcare, and education.
Highlighting Uttarakhand's rich legacy, the Chief Minister said that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has long been a centre of education, knowledge, and spirituality.
The state government is continuously working to strengthen innovation in education, digital learning, and a value-based education system rooted in Indian traditions. Efforts are being made to expand smart classrooms, digital libraries, and online learning facilities, while promoting modern disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Science. He also noted that the Centre for Hindu Studies established at Doon University will provide a new direction to the study and research of India's knowledge traditions.
The Chief Minister stressed that in a rapidly changing global landscape, it is essential to equip young people with future-ready skills, innovation, and leadership capabilities. To achieve this, the state government is promoting collaboration between industries and educational institutions, internships, industry-linked curricula, as well as startup and incubation centres. He said the government's objective is to empower youth not only to seek employment but also to become job creators.
Calling upon academicians, experts, and intellectuals present at the event, the Chief Minister urged them to actively contribute their knowledge and experience towards realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
— ANI
Reader Comments
CM Dhami ji is absolutely right - higher education is the foundation of a developed nation. As someone who studied in Dehradun, I can say Uttarakhand has always been a knowledge hub. But we need more focus on practical skills, not just degrees. Atmanirbhar Bharat needs innovators, not just degree holders. Hope these AI and Machine Learning courses actually get implemented properly.
Good speech but actions speak louder than words. My son is in a government college in Uttarakhand - still waiting for those "smart classrooms" they keep talking about. We have the syllabus but no infrastructure. NEP 2020 is excellent on paper but execution is key. At least they're talking about industry collaboration - that's what will actually create jobs for our youth.
The Centre for Hindu Studies at Doon University is a wonderful idea! 🌸 We need to reconnect with our ancient knowledge systems while embracing modern technology. That balance is what will make India truly Viksit. My grandfather always said Indian education was world-class before colonisation - NEP 2020 is finally restoring that glory. Proud of our Uttarakhand CM for pushing this vision!
Impressive vision from Uttarakhand CM. I work in ed-tech and can see the potential of NEP 2020. But 2047 is 24 years away - we need concrete milestones, not just slogans. That said, linking higher education with startup culture is smart. India's youth have incredible potential if given the right ecosystem. Would love to see more details on how they plan to implement these smart classrooms in remote areas.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.