SHILLONG, April 1: Representing Meghalaya, a Class IX student of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Mawphlang, Kumari Shilla Baishnab, came to the limelight as she raised a pertinent question on the new National Education Policy 2020 during the 5th edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship programme called ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ or PPC2022.
Her question (How will NEP 2020 empower the society in general and the student fraternity, in particular, and also how will it pave the way for a ‘Naya Bharat’?) was responded to by the Prime Minister.
The PM said the Centre has been engaged in the work of the ‘new’ education policy.
For this work, brainstorming took place on this subject in every corner of India, Modi said, adding that the policy was discussed under the leadership of good scholars of the country, people who have been associated with science and technology.
He said outdated ideas and policies from the 20th Century cannot guide India’s development trajectory in this century.
Country has to change with the times, Modi emphasised.
Apart from Baishnab, five other students of JNV Mawphlang had the opportunity to attend PPC2022 with Meghalaya Governor, Satya Pal Malik, at Raj Bhavan here. After attending the programme virtually, Governor Malik said he is proud of the student.
“The questions posed by the students were good and even the replies of the Prime Minister were good,” the Governor said.
Shilla Baishnab, on the other hand, said she feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to ask the Prime Minister a question. “I am happy as he answered my query and it was an exciting and joyful moment for me,” she said.
A teacher of JNV Mawphlang, Priyanka Ojha, who accompanied the students to Raj Bhavan, said PPC2022 was an innovative way to get in touch with the students.
“With this, the students will have a positive attitude towards examinations,” she said.
Meanwhile, at JNV Mawphlang, arrangement was made in the dining hall of the school for students to watch the live telecast of programme with the help of a projector.
Close to 550 students and 40 staff members watched the programme.
Addressing the gathering at PPC2022, the PM stressed on empowerment of girl child, and said, “If society lags behind in knowing the power of daughters, then that society can never progress.”
He outlined that competition must be considered to be an important medium to advance life through which one can also evaluate themselves.