Two-day ‘Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan’ concludes

Mysuru/Mysore: “Sanskrit, the basis of knowledge, is a scientific language and education should also emphasise on culture,” opined Dr. K. Kasturirangan, former Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Chairman of the Drafting Committee – National Education Policy.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the valedictory of the two-day State-level camp, ‘Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan,’ organised by Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) at the premises of Vivekananda Institute for Leadership Development in Hebbal here yesterday.

Dr. Kasturirangan contended that the language formula in education has a scientific reasoning and added that it covers mother tongue and regional language. He pointed out that children in the age group of 3 to 8 years have a very sharp mind to learn more languages. He maintained that the three-language policy was evolved based on those findings.

Continuing, Dr. Kasturirangan bemoaned that about one crore students discontinue studies every year in the country owing to lack of proper guidance which could be reduced if education is given in mother tongue.  He asserted that curiosity and inquisitiveness are the basic elements needed for a research student.

Replying to a question by a student as to why he preferred ISRO to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, USA), Kasturirangan recalled that he got an opportunity to work for NASA and simultaneously he got a chance to build ISRO and said that he chose the latter which was a rare challenge.  He pointed out that many Indians work at NASA which is their choice.

SVYM Founder Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Deputy CEO S. Praveen Kumar, CEO Sunil Bhaskaran, Programme Convenor Dr. Aravind C. Ranade and others were present.