President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said that global changes are both complex and unpredictable and India has to galvanise its demographic strength to capitalise on opportunities in the globalised market.
Mukherjee, who was presiding over the Goa University’s 29th annual convocation ceremony, was also conferred an honorary doctorate in literature by the University, for which the President expressed ‘gratitude and deep appreciation’.
“India is presently at a very challenging phase of its socio-economic transition. We are in the midst of global changes that are both complex and unpredictable. Indian expertise and talent has much demand worldwide. The prospects in a liberal economic environment are immense. Yet, to take advantage of the unfolding opportunities in a globalised market, we have to galvanise our demographic strength,” Mukherjee said.
In his speech Mukherjee also underscored the importance of education of women.
“It is important that young women particularly those belonging to marginal sections gain increased access to the portals of colleges and universities. Women’s empowerment through education will have a positive impact on our future generation. It is rightly said that if we educate a man, we educate an individual but if we educate a women, we educate an entire family,” Mukherjee said.
The President also underlined the role of skill-training in order to prepare them for the challenging roles in the global economic community.
“They have to be inculcated with the aptitude to think ahead. For, lot of ideas capable of making an impact transmits faster than ever before today,” Mukherjee said.
The President also called for greater collaboration between the Universities and educational institutions and other stakeholders in the economy as well as Government. “Universities, no doubt, have to take the lead in this regard. But this is a task that can hardly be accomplished by the public institutions alone. It will require a new paradigm of partnership between the various stakeholders,” he said.