Kiran Bedi calls for examination in patriotism and cultural learning
Governor of Puducherry Dr Kiran Bedi on Friday asked Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to make compulsory an examination in patriotism and cultural learning in the education system of the state.
Governor of Puducherry Dr Kiran Bedi on Friday asked Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to make compulsory an examination in patriotism and cultural learning in the education system of the state.
Bedi, who was addressing a gathering at the 4th national seminar on the life, vision and ideology of the visionary leader, Bharat Ratna awardee Dr BR Ambedkar, on his 125th birth anniversary at Guru Nanak Dev University, stated that it should not be classroom learning, but this examination should be based on self-education for which a student from a primary school level till the university level should study on his own and a degree should be given only if he clears this examination.
Bedi said, “There are many personalities, who are an inspiration to us but, unfortunately, people have failed to read about them, especially the youth, who are going away from libraries. So, I would want the deputy CM to announce that this patriotic and cultural learning will be part of the education system from the coming academic session.”
Bedi, speaking on the Swacchh Bharat Abhiyan, told the vice-chancellor (V-C)of Guru Nanak Dev University AS Brar that there was no use of numbers and positions till the university and its students participate in in the abhiyan.
“Jab tak aap yeh nahi karte, aap paas nai hai saab (till the time you don’t do this, you are not considered pass, Sir),” she told the V-C, who just nodded his head.
Though Bedi repeatedly asked Sukhbir to announce this in front of the entire media, but he remained seated. He, however, he raised his hand and nodded his head to acknowledge that it would be done.
Dr BR Ambedkar once said, “They cannot make history, who forget history. Thus if we are celebrating his 125th anniversary, it is important to implement and abide by his thoughts and vision,” said Bedi, who also apprised hundreds of students about his law- abiding nature.
World Kabaddi Cup dedicated to Ambedkar
Speaking on the occasion, Sukhbir said that the university should regularly organise such informative seminars on biographies of great leaders as seminars can narrate the rich history and culture of the nation and the state.
Coming back to the contribution of Ambedkar, Sukhbir said, “He immensely contributed in framing the Constitution of India, where he stood like a pillar for the rights of the common man and made sure no discrimination was done on the basis of caste, creed and religion. One should learn from his vision.”
He said that Punjab is the only state which has implemented his ideology in the best way as even during the emergency era, people of Punjab stayed united and even today they stand and live with each other.
The deputy chief minister also announced that the forthcoming World Kabaddi Cup, which is to be held in November, would be titled as ‘Dr Ambedkar World Kabaddi Cup’. He also said that 2,600 free medicine shops in the state would also be named after Dr Ambedkar.