Set up innovation clubs, tinkering labs in schools: President

President Pranab Mukherjee pitched for setting up of innovation clubs and tinkering labs in schools in order to develop a sustainable and innovative society.

Proposing nine sutras to invigorate India's march towards a more inclusive, diverse, sustainable and innovative society, Mukherjee also called for due recognition to cultural, technological and traditional skills while implementing our employment guarantee schemes and skill development programmes.

He was addressing students, faculty members of higher educational institutions and officer trainees at Civil Service Academies from Rashtrapati Bhavan today using the National Knowledge Network on the subject-"Innovation: A Way of Life".

"Innovation clubs and tinkering labs should be set up in schools, colleges and research institutions and we should not snub children when they ask questions to which we have no answer. We should promote and reinforce a scientific temper by questioning our beliefs which are not compatible with scientific way of thinking.

"We should bring our educational system in line with contemporary societal expectations. There is a need to overcome the deeply-embedded inertia in our psyche and constantly ask ourselves about possible solutions of the problem. We also must not tolerate inefficiency, shabbiness and poor quality work," he said.

The President said India may have lagged behind in some high-tech innovations but when it comes to developing solutions to everyday problems, the country has made a difference.

He also called upon educationists, corporate and community leaders to think of extending recognition to creative and innovative people of our country.

"India is the world's largest youth-populated nation. Over 600 million people in India out of a total population of 1.28 billion are below the age of 25 years. We have an abundance of creative, restless and inquisitive minds.

"In the networked environment of today, we need the power of youth to realise the full potential of an aspirational India. For this, creative thinking and a desire for innovation must become a part of our day-to-day lives," he said.