Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized on Thursday that his government is committed to developing an education system that will discourage young Indians from seeking education abroad. Speaking during the 78th Independence Day celebrations from the Red Fort, Modi highlighted the importance of enhancing India’s educational infrastructure and attracting global talent to study in the country.

“We are determined to upgrade our education system to align with 21st-century needs, with the new education policy being a significant contributor. I envision an India where our youth don’t have to look overseas for quality education, thereby saving middle-class families from spending their hard-earned money on foreign education. Our aim is to build an educational environment that not only retains our students but also draws international students to our institutions,” Modi stated.

The Prime Minister went on to announce the creation of 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years. This initiative is intended to curb the trend of Indian students going abroad for medical education, which incurs substantial costs. “Currently, a significant number of our youth, predominantly from middle-class backgrounds, travel abroad for medical studies. It’s alarming to learn about the countries they choose, and we want to change this by expanding our medical education capacity right here at home,” he added.

Modi also spoke passionately about reviving India’s historical legacy in education by reigniting the “ancient Nalanda University spirit.” He sees this as a pathway to reestablishing India as a global education hub, focused on advanced learning and research. “We have already rebuilt the Nalanda University, a symbol of our glorious educational past. However, our work doesn’t stop there; we must rekindle the centuries-old Nalanda spirit and make India a beacon of knowledge once more,” he said.

Moreover, Modi underscored the necessity of ensuring that language does not become a barrier to education. With the new National Education Policy emphasizing the use of the mother tongue, he stressed that every child, regardless of their economic background, should have the opportunity to learn and succeed in their native language. “Language should be a source of empowerment, not an obstacle. The strength of the mother tongue can enable even the poorest of our children to achieve their dreams, and that’s why we are prioritizing education in local languages,” Modi concluded.

Source: PTI

Also read: Modi Government Education Report Card (2014-24)