Teachers have worked like warriors during covid19: Ramesh Pokhriyal `Nishank’

Chandigarh: ‘NEP2020 will prove to be the base of self-reliant India and help achieve the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat in the true sense’ said Hon’ble Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', Minister of Education, Government of India at the Virtual Inauguration of Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) Building of Panjab University, South Campus, today.
 
Referring to the National Education Policy, the Education Minister further added that just as the society and social environment is changing day by day due to changing technology, we have to make teaching education dynamic as well. Teachers must be at the centre of fundamental changes being made in the education system. The new policy of education must, of course, help teachers at every level to re-position themselves as the most honorable and indispensable members of society, because teachers are the ones who truly shape our next generation of citizens.
 
Dr. Pokhriyal informed that NEP2020 has been whole heartedly accepted across the country and about 8-10 countries contacted us with their Education Minister showcasing the willingness to implement India’s NEP in their countries. With the New Education Policy, the nation will emerge as an Education Power Centre and the Ministry has been working for promoting the countries heritage to attract students from across the world. The NEP2020 will lead to increase in scientific research, future growth, capacity building and nation building.
 
Minister congratulated Prof. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, for taking along his teaching fraternity and the entire team for continuously achieving greater heights in the field of academics and sports. He added that if leadership is good, everything falls in line and PU has been instrumental in providing energy and motivation to all for achieving big in all fields. He appreciated the educationists/teachers for working like warriors during Covid19 pandemic, facing various challenges but teaching students online for saving their future.
 
Prof. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, PU in his address expressed gratitude for the presence of Hon’ble Minister for the inauguration of HRDC Building of PU. He appreciated all the efforts put in by the Hon’ble Education Minister in bringing out the New Education Policy 2020 which is predicted to fulfil all the needs of today’s era and remove the old shortcomings. PU VC gave detailed account of various achievements of PU including academic and sports, in his address. He informed that HRDC is one of the 50 such centres set up by UGC to provide in-service training to College and University Teachers. The Rashtriya Uchchattar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) Project has funded the construction of the new building of this centre which includes all modern facilities and hostels for the trainees.
 
Prof. R.K. Singla, Dean of University Instructions, PU in his address introduced the content of two books which were released today by Hon’ble Education Minister. The Ist book titled ‘Social Initiatives of PU’ under the Social Responsibility umbrella since July 2018 under the Dynamic Leadership of Prof. Raj Kumar, PU VC. PU’s dedicated  team lead by Dr. Gaurav Gaur, Centre for Social Work, and Program Officer-National Service Scheme(NSS) has been  untiringly working for this social work. It includes celebration of International Labour Day, World Earth Day, and International Day for persons with Disability and many more such celebrations. The other initiatives include feeding of stray Cows and Bulls named as ‘Ann Anand for Animals since November 2018 on everyday basis, imparting training on Menstrual Hygiene Management at Schools, Colleges and adoption of Villages. PU has also installed 40 inches LED television at a Rural School, in the state of Punjab to make it a Smart School. During Covid19 Pandemic, PU Faculty and students did a path breaking endeavour for the sustenance of more than 350 migrants construction workers stranded at PU which became popular by the name  Mission Maitri.

The 2nd Book is titled as “Lockdown Samay Mein Bhartiya Shiksha Ki Stithi aur Disha’. This compilation includes various initiatives taken by the Education Minister during lockdown period, various news published in the print and social media platforms. This book also has details about the strenuous work schedule of Hon’ble Minister to face the challenges posed by Covid19 Pandemic which includes safety of students, staying in hostels, their health and safe return to their respective homes. The other challenges include exams/admissions/academic calendar etc. The book contains all details about how the  Hon’ble Minister has led from the front by becoming guiding light for teachers and students.
 
Prof. S.K. Tomar, Honorary Director, HRDC, PU gave details of various state-of-art facilities in HRDC which will be a hub of knowledge and wisdom in the coming times. It will have seminar halls, computer labs, committee rooms, library and transit hostels for outstation participants.