Expressing concern over India's slide from the heights of Nalanda and Takshasila to not being among the world's top 100 educational institutions now, the Vice President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that the New Educational Policy will make India a global educational hub.

He urged the public to give their views and suggestions on the draft NEP by the stipulated time of 15th of this month.

Naidu further called for a holistic and value-based education that will lay strong foundations for the vibrant economy that India is emerging as.

He spoke on the challenges to Indian education after releasing a book 'The Dynamics of Indian Education' authored by Prof. J.S. Rajput at the Vice President's residence, here today.

The Vice President said; "These are the critical times for the country and there is a need for having a fresh look at the education system. I have been consistently advocating the need for revamping the education system to not only make our universities world-class, but to make India the knowledge hub. I am glad that the draft of the New Education Policy makes several out of the box suggestions that have the potential to turn India into a global education hub."

Naidu stressed that primary education shall be in the mother tongue which enables learning other languages effectively at later stages.

Highlighting the knowledge traditions of India, he referred to several German Universities promoting Sanskrit to decipher ancient palm leaves and scriptures for clues for scientific innovation.

Former Union Minister Arif Mohammad Khan who spoke on the occasion said that the land of India for ages is marked by the tradition of knowledge and wisdom. He referred to Prophet Mohammad as having said; "Sitting in Mecca, I am feeling the cool breeze of Knowledge from India. I am an Arab without Arabness; I am not an Indian but feel the Indianness."

Prof. Rajput, former Secretary-General of Lok Sabha, Shri Subhash Kashyap and Chairman of Prasar Bharti, Shri A. Surya Prakash spoke on various aspects of Indian Education.