'Education' is a key to build strength of our country: Pallam Raju

The foundation stone laying ceremony marked the beginning of the establishment of the campus of IIM Raipur, he first phase of the campus will be functional from 2015-16. IIM Raipur was established in 2010 at Raipur.

"We owe it to the nation to expand the capacity of higher learning. It is the supreme duty of the Institutes to provide avenues for strengthening the skills," said Dr M M Pallam Raju, Union Minister of Human Resource Development during the foundation stone laying ceremony on Indian Institute of Management, Raipur.

Pallam Raju urged IIM Raipur to, "participate and join hands with Government in finding solutions to the regional problems and issues of the state. This was the only way to provide meaningful education."

Addressing the faculty and students of IIM Raipur he asked them to, "Orient their focus to the growth and development of state." He vocalised that education as a medium to build the strength of the nation is was and will always be the area of utmost priority for the Central Government which has from the primary education to the higher education professed and encouraged the development of knowledge and skill base in the country.

Hari S Bhartia, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Raipur in his address thanked and appreciated the contribution of the State Government for continuous support in the form of providing 200 acres of land for IIM Raipur as well as for providing other resources. He stressed on the involvement of entrepreneurial system with the government to overcome the challenges faced by the state.

Speaking particularly about management education he said, "Management education has drastically changed and is driven by factors like demography, globalisation and rapid pace of technology. Success involves going beyond the narrow confines of disciplines and addressing issues that need cross functional and sometimes answers beyond the cross functional areas."

He also urged for the support of all stakeholders including the State Government to be one of the world class institutes with a Global perspective and remarked, "IIM Raipur was a shining opportunity for entrepreneurial development of the state."

With particular emphasis on IIM Raipur he expressed great expectations from the students of IIM Raipur who "will transform the state and the country into a land of opportunities." He also stressed on the capacity building of the youth who have the zeal and energy to lead growth of the country.