Crush mentality of dividing freedom fighters: Samant to students

Nagpur: Maharashtra education minister Uday Samant exhorted the students not to fall prey to the propaganda unleashed by a section to divide the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Without referring to the BJP, the minister said efforts were being made to divide the legendary leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Vallabhbhai Patel, Vinayak Sawarkar, Mahatma Phule and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Addressing the students during Nagpur University’s 109th convocation at Suresh Bhat auditorium on Wednesday, Samant called on them to use their knowledge for the benefit of their country, region and district rather than settling abroad.
Chancellor BS Koshyari who addressed the ceremony through a video message urged the students to make India a topmost destination for education, just like it used to have in the past when universities like Nalanda existed. “We need to get inspiration from the Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj’s preachings and follow the path of Atma Nirbhar Bharat shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Speaking on the raging issue of online/offline examinations, Samant said the students were not at fault for demanding the online mode, as they were forced to adopt it due to the pandemic for the last two years. “Today, a students’ delegation approached me and handed over a representation for the online exams. Their confidence levels are down, and they are unable to shed the online mentality. It’s the government and universities’ responsibility to counsel and convince them for offline exams.”
Reiterating his plans of changing the British-era culture to celebrate the convocation while wearing robes, the Ratnagiri MLA said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would introduce Maharashtrian style in such events. “The university should set a trend for other institutions by celebrating its 100 years through a special convocation ceremony next year. Even the students should make this university proud and set an example for the next generation.”
Stressing on the need to upgrade the education system and bring it par with world class institutions abroad, the minister said they had constituted a panel under noted scientist Raghunath Mashelkar for implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP). “A similar policy was actually introduced by Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj in 1917, when he made it mandatory for all to take up primary education that was free. He also legalized widow marriage in the same year and banned the Devadasi system,” he said, adding that Maharaj was the pioneer of such educational and social reforms.