Bhopal, Dec 7: Ensuring proper nutrition for students forms a crucial foundation for holistic education, said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday during a national workshop on education policy in Bhopal.

Speaking at the one-day state-level workshop titled “National Education Policy 2020 – Implementation, Challenges and Opportunities,” Pradhan emphasised that balanced nutrition improves children’s concentration, learning ability, and overall well-being, helping them grow into healthy, confident, and capable citizens—key to realising the vision of a “Developed India.”

The event was attended by Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, and other dignitaries. Pradhan highlighted that a robust education system will help free the country from residual colonial mindsets by 2035 and equip students with the skills to thrive in a modern, knowledge-driven economy. He urged states to integrate traditional knowledge with modern learning techniques, including AI-powered education tools, to prepare youth for the challenges of the 21st century.

The Madhya Pradesh government’s ‘School Chalen Hum’ campaign is working to connect every child to school, reduce dropouts, and extend modern teaching methods to all educational institutions. Pradhan praised the state’s efforts to encourage students’ participation in sports, cultural activities, and martial arts like karate, fostering overall development and discipline.

During the visit, Pradhan also toured Kamala Nehru Sandeepani Kanya Vidyalaya in Bhopal, interacting with students, teachers, and parents to understand ground-level challenges and initiatives. The Minister underscored that qualitative education combined with holistic development is central to building a “Developed Madhya Pradesh” and realising the national dream of a “Developed India.”