Chandigarh, Nov 15: Noting that lack of constructive ideas was responsible for degeneration of societies, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Saturday appealed to universities to help students attain self-knowledge, alongside information on conventional disciplines.
"It`s not the paucity of funds but paucity of ideas which are responsible for degeneration of societies. Universities must cater to the vision relating to the matter, body, mind and spirit," Patil said turning philosophical.
"The purpose of the universities will be fulfilled if new concepts, ideas and theories come to the people for the over all development of the society. Everything can`t be realised
by money alone."
Speaking after laying the foundation of Rs 20-crore Punjab University Medical Research Institute and Hospital at the University`s South Campus, here, he said, "it`s ideas that generate creativity, make nations strong in every sense of the term. Universities should march in that direction by giving right type of ideas and theories."
"It`s important to understand what you are (inner self). What is the use of understanding everything else without understanding what you are," he observed.
Patil said educationists should design courses, which are relevant for the future as well.
Union Minister of State for Finance Pawan Kumar Bansal, also the local MP, sought Central assistance for Punjab University and PGIMER for further development.
Bansal said fund allocation for the union territory of Chandigarh was raised from Rs 304 crore to Rs 488 crore.
Bureau Report
