Imphal: On his maiden visit after assuming office as Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankar visited Manipur on Wednesday. On board a special Indian Air Force flight, Vice President along with his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Sudesh Dhankar landed at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal this afternoon, where he was accorded a warm welcome by the Governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey; Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh; Minister of State for External Affairs & Education, R.K. Ranjan Singh; MAHUD Minister, Y. Khemchand; Minister Trade, Commerce & Industries, Nemcha Kipgen; WRD Minister, Awangbou Newmai; MLA, Th. Shyamkumar; MLA, S. Rajen; Chief Secretary; DGP; and other top civil and police officials. A Guard-of-Honour was given to the Vice President by a contingent of Manipur Rifles at the airport.
Speaking at an interaction programme with the faculty and students held at the auditorium of Dhanamanjuri University in Imphal, the Vice President said, although Manipur is strategically located, the state is famous for its beauty in diversity, art & culture, sports, and many other fields. He said, there has been a remarkable impact in the field of sports as the state has produced a number of sportspersons who have contributed significantly to the country. Manipur has been the home of polo, and the state is gifted with a huge potential for medicinal plants.
He continued that with a deep vision for the North East by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a number of developmental programmes have been introduced under the Act East Policy, and there has been a phenomenal change in the region. He said air, rail, and road connectivity have improved, and the region is emerging as a new destination for tourists.
Stating that India is rising as never before, Jagdeep Dhankar said, in these years of Amritkal, youths are the warriors, and all should contribute to making India the most developed nation by 2047. On the New Education Policy (NEP)-2020, the Vice President said, it is not a political policy but a national policy that aims to bring up youths to the highest level, and it will definitely be a game changer. Under the policy, the education system has been formulated to skill youths, target their potential in different areas, and will allow students to fully explore their potential.
Stating that nation first should be the vision, he said, our nationalism is beyond compromise. He said, students should always believe in their aptitude and have their own dreams. He appealed to the students to work hard to make their teachers, parents, state, and nation proud. The Vice President thanked the Chief Minister and his team for their work towards the development of the state. He also thanked everyone for their welcome and said he would visit Manipur again.
The Governor of Manipur, Anusuiya UIkey, while attending the interaction programme, thanked the Vice President and his wife for coming to Manipur. She said, realising the future educational needs of India, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, constituted a committee on education policy under the chairmanship of Dr K. Kasturirangan, and in May 2019, the committee submitted the new draft of the NEP 2020 to the government.
She continued that the main objective of NEP 2020 is to make India an educational superpower globally and to raise the quality of education by universalizing education in India. In India, the education policy was first formulated in 1968 and revised in 1992. After almost 34 years, in 2020, many rules related to education will have been changed and the NEP will have been formulated. It is the responsibility of all of us to implement this education policy.
The governor said that, under the remarkable initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) is striving to promote higher education. DM University is one of the very few universities in the country that offers twin courses in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes simultaneously. Quality is the first principle for DMU. The state government is committed to the development of education, she added.
The Governor again thanked the Vice President and said his guidance to the university will be a source of inspiration in the implementation of NEP 2020.
Speaking at the interaction programme, Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh thanked the Vice President for his valuable visit to the state. He said the youth of the nation have the power to shape their destiny and the future of our society. He said that as India sets itself a vision to become a developed country by 2047, the participation and engagement of youth are critical to realising this vision. To strengthen the education system in Manipur, various steps were taken by the state government.
He continued that, as a part of our endeavour to improve the higher education sector, Dhanamanjuri University was established in 2017 with infrastructure funding under the Rashtriya Uchchattar Shiksha Abhiyan. Many other initiatives have also been introduced for students in the state.
The Chief Minister further said that there have been a number of developmental activities taken up in the state. He said, helicopter service for far-flung areas has been introduced, and infrastructure development for rail connectivity is in progress. The state has produced 19 Olympians so far, and an Olympian Park has been developed. The state has huge tourism potential in natural and cultural heritage. Medical tourism is also a potential area where we can attract people from neighbouring states and even from Myanmar, he added.
Forest & Environment Minister, Th. Biswajit; Education Minister, Th. Basantakumar Singh; TA & Hills Minister, Letpao Haokip; Veterinary Minister, Khasim Vashum; MPs; MLAs; teachers; students attended the programme, among others.
The Vice President also attended an interaction programme for faculties and students of central universities and central institutions held in the evening at Manipur University in Imphal. The governor and chief minister also attended the programme.
