Spelling out his vision for eradicating poverty on the strength of a strong economy that is “growing at historically unprecedented rates”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced major projects designed for a “revolution in the field of modern education in the next few years”. Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Singh was addressing the nation on the occasion of India’s 60th Independence Day.

He promised five Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, eight IITs, seven IIMs and 20 Indian Institutes of International Technology.

Declaring secondary and higher education as a priority, he announced that the government would support 6,000 new “high quality” schools besides 370 colleges in districts with low enrollment rates.

To boost the “relatively neglected” university system, the Prime Minister said that 30 new Central universities would be set up to cover every state.

“I am sure that, working together, we can ensure that at least a fifth of our children go to college as compared to one-tenth now.”

On last year’s promise of a vocational education mission, the PM said that various initiatives under a Mission on Vocational Education and Skill Development would ensure education for 100 lakh students every year.

Promising to deliver on assurances that economic growth would benefit every corner of the country, he announced a Rs 25,000-crore investment plan in the agricultural sector to increase food production that would focus on farmers in dry and drought-prone regions.

“We will see a boost in food grain production in all parts of the country, particularly in regions untouched by the first green revolution,” Singh said.

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