President stresses on informed participation for healthy democracy

Observing that a sound education system is the bedrock of an enlightened society, President Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday said a democracy cannot be healthy without informed participation.

He was addressing functionaries of all central universities and institutions of higher learning besides faculty members of educational institutions on the commencement of new academic session through video conferencing.

Mukherjee said students are "amongst the most elevated minds in the country and they have a stake in the progress of this nation and the welfare of its people".

Quoting former president S. Radhakrishnan, he said seeking truth might be one facet of education but applying it for the general good of society is the most cherished objective.

He said: "A sound education system is the bedrock of an enlightened society. Our institutes of higher learning are the cradle of future administrators and policy makers. The seeds of progressive thinking have to be sown and nurtured here. The core civilisation values of love for motherland; performance of duty; compassion for all; tolerance for pluralism; respect for women; honesty in life; self-restraint in conduct, responsibility in action and discipline have to be inculcated in these institutions."

The video conferencing node was set up in the conference hall of Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University.