Today, on September 7, PM Narendra Modi addressed the inaugural conclave of Shikshak Parv via video conferencing.

During the virtual event, first of all, he congratulated all the teachers who have received the national award and launched Indian Sign Language Dictionary (audio and text embedded sign language video for the hearing impaired, in conformity with Universal Design of Learning), Talking Books (audiobooks for the visually impaired), School Quality Assurance and Assessment Framework of CBSE, NISHTHA teachers’ training programme for NIPUN Bharat and Vidyanjali portal (for facilitating education volunteers/ donors/ CSR contributors for school development).

The  Prime Minister praised students, teachers, and the entire academic community for rising up to the challenge of pandemic and asked them to take forward the capabilities developed to deal with that difficult time. “If we are in the midst of a transformation period, fortunately, we also have modern and futuristic new National Education Policy”, he said.

He also launched, ‘Vidyanjali 2.0’ as a platform for the country’s resolve of ‘Sabka Prayas’ with ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’. The Prime Minister said that everyone, in whichever sphere of life, has a role in shaping the future of the youth. He expressed happiness that athletes have accepted his request that every player visit at least 75 schools during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. He added that National Digital Architecture i.e. N-DEAR is likely to play a major role in eradicating inequality in education and its modernization.

He said education should not only be inclusive but also be equitable. “Talking books and audiobooks are part of the education system now. A dictionary for Indian Sign language has been formed. For the first time in the country, Indian Sign language is being included as a subject in curriculum,” the PM said.