Advocating English language for providing better opportunities to people, he said, “education is fundamental, the only difference between people in India is the way opportunity is given to them.”

He recalled his recent visit to a tribal village in Orissa which had a population of 8,500 people, out of which only one person was a graduate. The village had only one school for 250 students, that too, only till fifth standard.

Expressing concern over the situation, he said, “the level of education is not acceptable. Even if you start today, you are 25 years behind.”

Rahul had a traditional breakfast of honey and ragi rotti in the morning at the house of a Soliga tribal here.

Tuesday was the first day of his five-day tour of the state where after B R Hills, he will visit Santhemarahalli, Kavalande, Nanjanagudu, Begur, H D Kote and Nagarhole for a series of interactions with tribals, villagers and party workers.

Rahul is also slated to visit Mangalore, Hubli, Dharwad, Bagalkot and Raichur, among others, where he will also interact with students, fishermen, cotton farmers, tribals and party workers.