30-Jan-2020: Union HRD Minister chairs the meeting of the Indian National Commission for Cooperation (INCCU) with UNESCO in New Delhi

Union Human Resource Development Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ chaired the meeting of the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO (INCCU) in New Delhi.

The membership of National Commission consists of members of five Sub Commissions namely, Sub Commission for (i) Education (ii) Natural Sciences (iii) Social Sciences (iv) Communication (v) Culture. The members of the Sub Commissions briefed the chair about the activities carried out by their respective Sub Commissions.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Pokhriyal said that the reconstituted National Commission has met for the first time today and let this be the first of many such regular and meaningful interactions that will help build India’s stature and position across countries. He added that the National Commission can play a powerful role in coordinating the activities that are being carried out by the institutions under each of the five sub commissions so that India’s efforts and achievements get due support, acknowledgement and recognition across countries. Our work needs to be projected more at the international level, so that we can contribute more towards fulfilment of the objectives of UNESCO while also strengthening India's image globally.

The Union Minister said that India is one of the founding members of UNESCO and has always played an active role in promoting its ideals and objectives in the fields of education, culture, communication, natural sciences and social and human sciences. He added that the Government of India is fully committed to the attainment of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and every Ministry is making huge efforts in this direction.

In the field of education, India is working to further UNESCO’s objective of making quality education available to everyone.  Many steps have been taken to improve the access, equity and quality of education. A New Education Policy is on the anvil, which has been formulated after the largest ever process of consultation with stakeholders.

In the culture sector, UNESCO’s programmes aim to promote, preserve and safeguard cultural heritage and spread respect for all cultures. India has an unparalleled heritage – both tangible and intangible. The Ministry of Culture and the institutions under it are working to preserve the tangible and intangible heritage of the country.

India has been playing a very positive role in the field of Science by promoting scientific programmes and policies as platforms for development and cooperation. India also supports UNESCO’s works towards freedom of expression, which is a key condition for democracy and development, as also its objectives in the field of social sciences.

Shri Pokhriyal said that to showcase the good work we are doing and get better representation for India, we need our National Commission to be stronger and more active. He suggested the five Sub Commissions to meet regularly on their own to discuss the work they are doing and identify the challenges they are facing. They should inform National Commission of all developments in their respective sectors for proper coordination. The Minster hoped that the National Commission will identify and take up issues in India’s interest with the UNESCO Headquarters through the Permanent Representative of India.

While addressing the meeting Shri Dhotre said that India has always played an active role in promoting its ideals and objectives in the fields of education, culture, communication, natural sciences & social and human sciences. He highlighted that the concerned ministries of the government are making consistent efforts towards fulfilment of UNESCO's objectives and attainment of 2030 sustainable development goals in their respective sectors. The Indian National Commission and its five sub commissions can play a vital role in coordinating and highlighting the work being done by India in support of UNESCO's objectives.

The Director General of UNESCO Ms. Audrey Azoulay will be visiting India from 4th to 7th of next month.

1-Oct-2019: HRD Minister chairs the Meeting of the Executive Board of the National Council for Promotion of Sindhi Language

Union Minister for Human Resource Development Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ chaired a Meeting of the Executive Board of the National Council for Promotion of Sindhi Language to discuss various issues concerning the Council, particularly for the Promotion of Sindhi Language inside and outside the Country in New Delhi.

During the meeting, a presentation of the activities of the NCPSL and a Vision Document relating to the activities to be carried out by the Council in the next five years was also explained to the Minister.  The HRD Minister emphasized that the grants that are given to the NGOs for the promotion of Sindhi Language should be utilized fully and advised the Members to make random inspections of the NGOs to ensure that the grants issued are utilized in a transparent manner.  He also advised the Members of the Council to work together and chart out activities of the Council and see that the message reaches the general public that the Government is committed in the promotion of Sindhi Language.

During the meeting, the HRD Minister desired that effective steps should be taken to utilize the financial grants given for the promotional activities of Sindhi Language judiciously. The Minister appreciated the growth in the number of students enrolled for the Sindhi Language learning course from 4307 in 2018-19 to 9680 in 2019-20.

The Minister also inaugurated the song “KULGEET” of the National Council for promotion of Sindhi Language and released three books in Sindhi Language of the Council.  The Council also discussed the spread of Sindhi Language through “Community Radio”. The Vision document and other Agenda items were adopted.