1 Apr : With the historic Right to Education Act coming into force from Thursday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for national participation in the effort to make universal access to education, a reality.
In a televised address to the nation on this occasion, he assured that lack of funds would not come in the way of implementing this Act.
He also said dalits, minorities and girls would be the focus of the effort to provide education to all.
The Prime Minister said the enforcement of the Act demonstrates the commitment of the government to realise the fundamental right of the people to be educated.
Dr Singh said education was the key to the progress of the country, so state governments, teachers, guardians and all other sections of the nation, would have to work sincerely to see that objectives of the Act were realised.
He stressed the role of the teachers in the task, saying their ability and motivation would be crucial, so they have to be ensured a condition in which they could work with dignity and freedom.
Looking back to his own life, the Prime Minister said he came from a family of modest means. He had to walk a long way to school and studied in the light of a kerosene lamp.
”Today What I am, I am because of education. So I want that the light of education should reach to all,” he said.
Dr Singh emphasised that all children should have access to education irrespective of the class they belong to.
He said he wanted every Indian to dream about a bright future and live this dream.