'Right value system, education needed for gender sensitivity'

Referring to the Delhi gang-rape incident that shook the conscience of the nation, the minister said Vivekananda's teachings are "very relevant" at the present time and the government's focus is to create a value-based society through education.

"We find it important that we take special efforts to sensitise the students and the community at large about gender sensitivity, about appropriate and proper etiquette towards women and we find it that it is imperative on us that we try to build up these value systems," Raju told reporters.

"We can give them education. But if it is not coupled with a right value system, it can be a very detrimental source for us," he said after releasing National Book Trust's (NBT) desk calendar to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), and wall calendar on the 'Indigenous Voices of India' theme.

"Along with education, I think it is very important that we should bring up our right value system. Swami Vivekananda's teachings are very relevant. Because all his teachings were directed at the building up the moral and character of the youth of the nation," Raju said.

However, the minister was non-committal on whether the government would incorporate Swami Vivekananda's teachings in the school curriculum.

NBT Chairman A Sethumadhavan said the organisation had been entrusted with the responsibility of bringing out volumes of Vivekananda's works.

"We take it as an honour. In 2013 itself we will come out with a few volumes," he said.