Shashi Tharoor's India youth quandary: The gun or the 21st century

Taking charge as Minister of State for HRD, Shashi Tharoor today emphasised on universalisation of education with focus on quality, even as he made a strong case for an IIT in his home state of Kerala.

Asserting that the Ministry would witness a "good team spirit" among the three new ministers, he said the big issue according to him would be "making education relevant for all along with access, quality and the universalisation aspect."

"If you get the education and training part right, we would then be able to equip the youths take advantage of what the 21st century has to offer. But if we don't get it right, the danger is something like what we have seen with the Maoists, frustrated unemployed young men picking up the gun," he told reporters after assuming charge.

When pointed to complaint of minister of states in general about not being assigned enough work, Tharoor, a former UN diplomat, said, "I have no doubt that we will get lot of work as there are a number of issues in the Ministry to focus on".

Thaoor, who has been vocal about the need for an IIT in Kerala, said he would look into the "issue very carefully" and reasons as to why the need for such an institute in the state was rejected.

"Kerala is a very education conscious state, even the poorest of the families are concerned about the education of children, they give value to the advantage of learning which I believe are compelling enough for such an institute for the state".

Asked if he would campaign in Gujarat, he said he has not been invited by anyone to campaign there.

Tharoor had been recently involved in war of words with Narendra Modi following the chief minister's attack on his wife Sunanda Pushkar.

ALSO READ

Railway bribery case shocking: Nitish Kumar

Aarushi case: Talwar couples' statement to be recorded tomorrow

Coal scam: Ashwani Kumar made two 'significant' deletions, says CBI

Job-for-cash scam: Role of Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal under CBI scanner