Team Herald
MARGAO: On National Education Day, South Goa Member of Parliament Captain Viriato Fernandes emphasised the importance of education in fostering unity and protecting India’s diversity.
Speaking at an event organised by the Citizens Welfare Society in Cuncolim, he urged students to recognise and counter efforts that seek to divide society, stressing that these attempts often prey on the lack of education.
“India is a country rich in religion, culture, and regional diversity, but there have been attempts to sow division. Education is key to resisting these divisive forces,” Fernandes said.
He also highlighted the significance of unity in India’s diversity, quoting the iconic patriotic song ‘Sare jahan se achcha, Hindustan hamara’, recalling astronaut Rakesh Sharma’s famous response, when asked about India from space: “Sare jahan se achcha.”
Fernandes reflected on the role of education in India’s progress, mentioning how, after independence, India was heavily dependent on foreign countries for basic needs, like even needles.
He lauded Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India, for his contributions, such as establishing the first Indian Institutes of Technology and the University Grants Commission.
Social worker Veolla Melisa Alemao, who was also present, praised the educational institutions in Cuncolim for encouraging both academic and athletic excellence.
“These institutions are not only prioritising academic success but are also shaping future leaders by fostering holistic development,” she said.
Alemao urged students to focus on practical knowledge that could help address pressing issues like environmental degradation, deforestation, and coastal erosion, emphasising the need for real-world applications of education to tackle such challenges.
The event, which celebrated the achievements of students and sportsmen, underscored the vital role of education in individual and societal progress.