File photo of Home Minister Rajnath Singh
Terming the present education system in the country as a victim of Macaulay's conspiracy", Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said that there was a need to change it and stressed on use of mother tongue.
"We are tied in a set pattern and there is need to come out of it. This is wrong to think that all knowledge is with the western countries. They learnt from us, but after the entry of Britishers a mentality developed that all the knowledge was with the western countries," Mr Singh said addressing the 18th convocation of Jaipuria Institute of Management in Lucknow.
The former BJP chief said if the education system introduced by British historian Thomas Babington Macaulay was the best, then why even after 67 years of Independence not a single institute of the country was among the best 275 universities and 100 technical institutes in the world.
Raising the question of language, Mr Singh said, "Knowledge of other languages in necessary, but where conversing in mother tongue works, why should one speak in English."
"Therefore, our Prime Minister has decided that we will converse in Hindi to the possible extent. But this doesn't mean opposing any other language," he added.
Advising the students to free themselves from the pressure of foreign language and think in a free manner, Mr Singh said that along with education, character building and following values were also important.
Referring to the "Make in India" slogan given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Singh said that the central government was working with the target of turning the country into a manufacturing hub in the next 10 years. "The PM has given slogan of 'Make in India' and we will turn the country into a manufacturing hub in the next 10 years," he said.
Later talking to reporters, Mr Singh, who will undertake a trip to Monaco and Israel from tomorrow, said discussions would be held on border security and police modernisation during the conference of Interpol.
He said that during his Israel visit, he would meet the Israeli Prime Minister and seek technical support in certain fields. The Union Minister said he would also take information on border security measures there.