Karnataka - Bangalore   

`English is essential to fight global challenges'

Staff Reporter

Madhavan Nair inaugurates three-day seminar in Bangalore

BANGALORE: G. Madhavan Nair, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on Wednesday made a case for learning English language saying it was essential to fight global challenges and grab the available opportunities.

Speaking after inaugurating a three-day national seminar on "English Language Education through Satellite" organised by the Regional Institute of English South India here, Dr. Nair noted that English had grown into a world language of communication. While the language improved one's skills and knowledge, it widened the scope of employment opportunities, he said.

Dr. Nair pointed out that one had to depend on English for information on technology and science.

Speaking about EDUSAT, Dr. Nair said the programme capable of reaching people in remote areas, had become a milestone in the education sector.

The programme, which is limited to the State now, had to be extended to all schools in the country with the help of the State governments concerned.

The governments had to invest over Rs. 2,000 crore for the nation-wide implementation of the programme, he said. Dr. Nair noted that EDUSAT would help the spread of English language throughout the country.

He said the expansion of the programme was hampered by non-availability of electricity and telephone connection in the villages. Solar energy could be a better alternative for conventional energy, he said citing the example of Chamarajanagar district where solar energy had been tapped for EDUSAT.

The Director of British Council, South India, Chennai, Chris Gibbson, said English would achieve the status of world communication language by 2010.

His mission was to make every South Indian learn the language by that time, he added.

The Country Director, EDC, Bangalore, Vanditha Sharma, and the Institute Director, M.D. Gayathri Devi Dutt, were present.

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