The power of education extends beyond the development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation.

The real education of the masses can never be separated from their independent political, and especially revolutionary, struggle. Only struggle educates the exploited class. Only struggle discloses to it the magnitude of its own power, widens its horizon, enhances its abilities, clarifies its mind, forges its will.

Peace does not mean an absence of conflicts. Differences will always be there. Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means - through dialogue, education, knowledge, and humane ways.

India has probably lost its position to China as the world's workshop. At the same time it has the power to be ahead of China when it comes to knowledge. Not that the Chinese are far behind. They will get there. But our challenge is to invest sufficiently in education.

What is really needed to make democracy function is not knowledge of facts, but right education.

Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in.