Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has declared that the ambitious goal of transforming Odisha into a developed state by its centenary year of 2036 is attainable, but only if every citizen recognizes and acts upon their responsibilities. He identified three critical areas for immediate public action: eliminating malnutrition, imposing a ban on single-use plastic, and undertaking large-scale tree plantation drives.
Empowering Youth and Hidden Talent
The minister made these remarks on Sunday while interacting with youth representatives from Odisha in New Delhi. These young individuals were nominated for the "Viksit Bharat Young Leader Dialogue - 2026" initiative. Pradhan emphasized that the program's core objective is to bring the hidden talent of the state's youth to the forefront, providing them with a national platform.
Addressing questions from the participants, Pradhan detailed the transformative role of the National Education Policy (NEP). He stated that the NEP is being implemented to overhaul the education system and create equal opportunities for children across both urban and rural landscapes. Technology, he asserted, is the key strength driving this change.
AI Breaks Language Barriers in Education
In a significant observation on the future of learning, Pradhan highlighted that in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), language is no longer a barrier to quality education. He explained that complex content traditionally taught in English can now be seamlessly translated into a student's mother tongue using AI tools.
"This enables students from places such as Rairangpur and Koraput to access world-class education in their own language," Pradhan said. He proudly cited Pratyush Kumar, the co-founder of AI firm Sarvam, as an exemplary success story and a source of pride for Odisha.
Shift from Degrees to Skills and Entrepreneurship
The Union Minister outlined a paradigm shift in India's educational focus, moving away from the colonial Macaulay-era emphasis on mere degrees towards a robust skills-based framework. He noted that students now have the flexibility to pursue coding, music, sports, or vocational education from the school level itself, based on their interests and aptitudes. Pradhan described the introduction of a sports quota in premier institutions like the IITs as a major and welcome change in this direction.
As India advances towards a knowledge-based economy, Pradhan urged the new generation to prepare for engagement with the modern world. Their focus, he advised, should not be limited to seeking employment but should expand to creating employers and generating jobs.
Setting a tangible target for the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem, Pradhan projected that by the time Odisha celebrates 100 years of its formation in 2036, the state should aim to establish 100 startups, each with an estimated valuation of Rs 100 crore. This vision underscores the critical link between education, skill development, and economic growth in achieving the 'Developed Odisha' mission.
