Bilaspur: Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development Satyapal Singh today said the Centre has been working in a strategic manner to transform 10 public and private universities into world-class institutions in coming years.
The statement comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to give autonomy and Rs 10,000 crore to top 10 public and 10 private universities over the next five years to make them world-class institutions.
"No required focus was given to education sector (in previous decades). Without blaming any (former) governments, I would say not much attention was given in the area of education.
"It's fortunate for us that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the centre is giving special attention to this sector," Singh said in a press conference here.
The union minister was in Bilaspur city to attend 6th convocation ceremony of Guru Ghasidas Central University.
"Everybody knows that the Indian universities do not figure among top 500 institutions of the world except two IITs which too are ranked after 200.
"The country was once a centre for learning but now children were going outside for attaining education.
Therefore, it has been decided to upgrade the Indian universities to international standards," he said.
The prime minister had yesterday announced that 10 government and 10 private universities will be made world-class in coming years.
For the purpose, the Centre has been working in a planned manner under a strategy, he said.
"We don't have dearth of talent. Our students and teachers are full of knowledge but we lack world-class facilities. Therefore, we are working on the strategy for a proper improvement in education sector," he added.
To a query on allegations of saffronising education, Singh said there is nothing wrong with saffron colour which symbolises culture, sacrifice and enlightenment.
"Some people started (saying) like this (referring to saffronisation of education)...saffron colour symbolises culture, sacrifice and enlightenment in this country.
"Why we pay obeisance to Sun, because its colour is also saffron. There is nothing wrong with the saffron colour.
I wish saffronisation should be done not only in education (education) but wherever required," he said.
"In our life too, so that we could understand sacrifice, renunciation and enlightenment. We should learn from Sun to gain knowledge, sacrifice and enlightenment. If it would happen then the purpose of education will be achieved," said Singh.
When asked about naxalism, the IPS-turned-politician Singh said, there is no place for maoist ideology in the democracy and soon it will be wiped out from the country.