'Don Bosco, Jan Sangh have much in common'

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Aug 8: Drawing parallel between the ideology of the education system initiated by Don Bosco and the one promulgated by the BJP's founder-party Jan Sangh, Union Minister Piyush Goyal today highlighted the need for equal and quality education, irrespective of religious or social background.

His statement came amidst a raging debate over installation of the statue of Don Bosco at Bharalumukh. Miscreants had yesterday desecrated the statue and dumped it in the Bharalu river. Four accused, including members of BJP wings, were arrested today.

Addressing a Don Bosco bicentery educatiol semir here, Goyal said holistic development of children should be the objective of education.

Alumni of a Don Bosco school himself, the Union Minister for Power, Coal & Renewal Energy said there were similarities between the system of education followed by the Don Bosco institutions and the one preached by the likes of Deen Dayal Upadhaya, the founders of Jan Sangh, BJP's parent party.

Goyal said both systems believed in bringing together the destitute and children of shelter homes into the mainstream education system, offering equal and quality education for all-round development of children.

"The development of an individual through education should be seen as an investment. The system followed by the Gurukuls of ancient India can help to this end," he said.

Pointing that besides himself, at least three other Central ministers were from Don Bosco institutions, Goyal said, "India can imbibe many cultures and flourish."

 The minister stressed on the need for the all-round development of students, with equal emphasis on extra-curricular activities along with academics, and the need to evaluate the vocatiol capabilities of students at an early age.

 He also highlighted the role of teachers in ensuring that students receive quality education and excel in all spheres of life.