Javadekar distances himself from Smriti's legacy, says students must rebel

India lacks in innovation in education as children are discouraged to ask questions in schools something which should not be allowed to go on, Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Thursday, contending "unless you rebel, unless you challenge the status quo, how can you innovate anything".

"Innovation is a process of rebellion essentially. Unless you rebel, unless you challenge the status quo, how can you innovate anything," he said, emphasising the Modi government's focus on innovation in education.

"Why do we lack innovation in India? Because, we don't allow questioning. We don't promote inquisitiveness. If a child asks questions in school, he is asked to sit down. This should not go on. We need to promote inquisitiveness, children should ask questions," the newly appointed HRD minister said.

Javadekar said if children are encouraged to be inquisitive, innovation would follow as the status quo would be challenged and there would be transformation.

The minister, who had been given the charge of the HRD ministry after Tuesday's reshuffle, was speaking at an event, 'Infocom 2016', organised by the Ananda Bazar Patrika Group.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mantra is sustainable development which does not impact adversely the nature but ensures progress of all, for which innovation is the key.

He said the development in IT Sector has brought a revolution in the media industry. Transformation is the result of new ideas. There are doomsayers, but one should always be positive and look for innovation, he said.

Javadekar also recalled his interaction in the 1990s with late Steve Jobs of Apple who had then predicted the evolution of smart phone and its varied functions.