Without a doubt, education is the greatest driving force behind all human endeavours. It is the only thing that has kept mankind pushing the frontiers of nature and knowledge in every direction. A famous seer once said, “Education is the realisation of perfection that already exists in man.” The Great Gurus also put education (vidya) on a high pedestal and went to the extent of saying that this alone is the key to the doors of the Almighty.

Ever since I came into public life, I have been surprised to see the quality of talent in our poor children. At the same time, I feel sad when I see the yearning for education in the eyes of these children, who could excel in every sphere if only they were given an opportunity to arm themselves with skill and education. This is as true for children from rural background as for those from urban areas. If there were one thing I would like to be remembered for, it would certainly be my love for these children and my commitment to creating conditions in which each one of them can have an access to education.

Sadly, however, education has not received the kind of attention it deserves. Governments and society must share the blame here. On one hand, education does not find the requisite space in government policy-making and long-term planning, and on the other, society itself has often neglected it in favour of more materialistic goals, like ceaseless pursuit of wealth and power.

... contd.