AMN
MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Deverndra Fadnavis has assured Urdu lovers that Urdu will be introduced as a subject in all govt-run schools in the state. Addressing a conference Taleem Ki Taqat, ( Power of education) organized by chancellor of MANUU Zafar Sareshwala, CM said his govt would open more Urdu medium junior and degree colleges so as to reduce the dropout rate among those students who discontinue education after tenth because of lack of Urdu medium colleges.
He also emphasized that every student should learn an additional language other than mother tongue since India is emerging as a big source for skilled manpower in near future. “By 2020 the average age in India will be 29 while in Japan it will be 40. This is the demographic dividend that must be utilized and it will help if our children know more languages,” he said.
Allaying the fears of those who oppose madrassa modernization, CM said that the govt has no intention to meddle with madrassas. Fadnavis called upon the community to reach a consensus on education of subjects like Maths, Science and English so that the employability of the madrassa products could be increased. “Money will not be a problem. We have a budget of Rs 44000 crore for education in the state. I don’t mind increase Rs 500 crore more for minorities’ education provided we get concrete plans. Bring good plans for educational uplift of the minorities and we will allocate sufficient funds,” he said.
Conference which was attended by over 300 people, had as speakers Dr SN Pathan, former vice-chancellor of Nagpur University, Arun Tewari, chairman and managing director of Union Bank of India, Rajiv Aggarwal, member SEBI and Salim Khan, a popular writer.
“I also assure the gathering that if they come up with schemes, the government will surely consider them and money will not be a problem,” said Fadnavis. He also spoke on issues pertaining to trust deficit and the reasons why the community was backward.
“In 21st century, India is the only country that can give human resource capital to the world. We are, hence, looking at skills. Learning a language besides one’s mother tongue is good and if there is a scheme on skill development, we will support it,” said Fadnavis.
Other speakers rued the lack of prominent institutions. “Had Aligarh and Jamia not been there, the situation of the community would have been further backward,” said Dr SN Pathan, former vice-chancellor of Nagpur University. He demanded that the government have a data collection of the skills and education of Muslims, career counselling for them in districts so that they study and take degrees from places like YB Chavan Centre that recognise Madrasa pass to some equivalent of modern education among others.
“Over 150 years ago, my great grandfather decided to come to India because he thought he could educate the children. My father was a DIG and there was so much emphasis that we educate and read. That is how I became a writer,” said Salim Khan.