Agartala, August 21, 2025: Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday emphasized that education must go beyond degrees, urging students to engage in co-curricular activities and, above all, strive to become good human beings.
Speaking at a felicitation program for secondary and higher secondary pass-outs in the Mohanpur assembly constituency, Nath said, “It is not enough to just get a degree. Students should also participate in co-curricular activities, and most importantly, they should be good people.”
Highlighting the importance of skill-based learning, he added, “Students must learn English and science so that they can pursue skill-based education. Even if there is no job, they should find ways to earn money. Swami Vivekananda also emphasized the same.”
The minister recalled the past limitations of education in Mohanpur, saying, “Once, there was only one school here where studies were up to class VIII. After that, students had to go to Agartala to continue. At that time, the education infrastructure was not developed.”
On the role of women’s education, Nath remarked, “According to Swamiji’s words, girls must learn something so that they can earn a living. If girls are educated, they will be able to solve their own problems.”
Underscoring the significance of self-determination, he said, “You have to decide how to build your career and life. Teachers will not decide your future. Today, knowledge is the biggest power. The country with the most knowledge is the most developed country.”
He also praised the implementation of the National Education Policy, noting, “Once there was no education policy. Now, we have a new education policy which has already been adopted by 11 countries.”
However, Nath cautioned that professional success alone does not define a person’s worth. “If someone becomes a doctor, engineer, IPS or IAS but is not a good person, then he has no value. Real education is when you can stand on your own feet. Along with degrees, co-curricular activities are equally important,” he said.
