Must keep ethical education intact to preserve cultural values, says Bhagwat

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Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday underscored the need for keeping ethical education intact along with the current education system to preserve nation's cultural ethos.

"Ethical education should be made part of education policy, to preserve our social and cultural values intact. Many experiments with education are on in our country. We need to summarise all of these and evolve a new model," Bhagwat said in his annual 'Vijayadashami' speech here.

"It is also important to reduce the costs of education and standardise it.We need basic changes in text and content," he added.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Government for its approach in running the country, Bhagwat also said there was a new feeling of hope in the country now with the Bharatiya Janata Party coming to power at the Centre in 2014, compared to the atmosphere of disappointment two years ago.

"India's image in the world has improved since then. A new idea of India is rising in the world. Whenever there is a crisis situation in the world, we come forth to help," he added.

The RSS chief further advised the government to pay attention to farmers, agriculture, labourers, artisans and the cooperative sector.

"We need to have a feedback from the ground on what is happening to policies. Continued dialogue with all sections is very important," he added.

Bhagwat futrther stressed the need for maintaining unity in the country despite prevailing differences.

"Situations would keep changing, but we should ensure there is unity among the people, if there is varied views.We need to discuss and find a way forward," he added.

Citing the example of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Bhagwat said the latter did not launch a protest against untouchability, but changed his own path to achieve his goal for society that was equal in all aspects.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari also attended the function.

Every year the RSS chief speaks on the occasion of Vijayadashami. The day assumes significance as Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar founded the RSS on this day at Nagpur in 1925.