The Prime Minister, during the course of his Independence Day speech, highlighted the special attention accorded to the health and education sectors in the last six years. He rued the fact that these two sectors did not get the importance they deserved after Independence. But now they have become important components of the government’s strategy for inclusive growth as also a requirement for higher economic growth.
Taking pride in the fact that his government has been able to ensure access to primary education for every child, he emphasised that the country should focus more on secondary and higher education as also the quality of education. “It is our endeavour that every child, irrespective of whether he is rich or poor and which section of the society he belongs to, should be given an education that enables him to realise his potential and makes him a responsible citizen of our? country” said the Prime Minister. Dr Manmohan Singh, promising to continue to implement the new schemes that the government had begun in the last six years, he also declared that ?a bill will be brought in Parliament soon for constitution of two separate councils in higher education and health, respectively, to accelerate reforms in these two fields.
Without denying the need for nutritious food and good health services, the Prime Minister stressed the need for cleanliness and good sanitation in towns, cities and villages to deter diseases from afflicting the general populace. Calling on the state governments, panchayati raj institutions, civil society groups and commoners to ensure the success of Clean India Campaign, under which children will be taught the importance of cleanliness, Dr Singh said it’s the responsibility of every Indian to maintain cleanliness.