Pluralistic character of nation should not be weakened: Prez

Denouncing attacks on youths from the North East in the national capital, President Pranab Mukherjee today said the pluralistic character of the nation should not be weakened by such "unacceptable events".
Speaking at the 10th convocation of Mizoram University, he said both the Central government and Delhi administration have taken firm action by not only apprehending and punishing the accused but also putting in place measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
"Sometime back, the capital city of Delhi had witnessed certain tragic and ugly attacks on young people from the North East...We must ensure that pluralistic character of our nation and her thread of unity, which is collective pride of all Indians, is not weakened by such unacceptable events," he said.

In his maiden visit to the North Eastern State, Mukherjee expressed concern over the quality of educational institutions in the country.
Addressing the gathering at the University, which fulfils 60 per cent of its energy requirement through solar energy and water recycling, Mukherjee noted that none of country's institutes are placed in top 200 positions by reputed international surveys.
The President said strengthening academic management is urgently required and stressed that faculty development programmes should be undertaken to enrich the experience of teachers.

"To make learning more effective, teaching pedagogy must be refined, curricula updated, interdisciplinary approach adopted and evaluation mechanism reformed," he said.

Awarding Gold Medals to 39 students from various disciplines, Mukherjee lauded the University for receiving A grade by NAAC in 2014.
He said an industry interface cell should be set up to to help in involvement of industry personnel in curriculum design and project guidance, sponsorship of chair positions and setting up of incubation centres and laboratories.