Puducherry: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday appealed to states that have not yet adopted the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to reconsider their decision in the larger interest of the country's educational transformation.

Interacting with students at Pondicherry University during his three-day visit to the Union Territory, Dhankhar described the NEP 2020 as a turning point in India's educational landscape.

“Our National Education Policy, introduced after decades, places strong emphasis on promoting the mother tongue and nurturing diversity, critical thinking, skill development and innovation. States which are yet to implement it should rethink their stance,” he said.

Emphasising that the NEP seeks to unlock the full potential of the nation's youth and accord due importance to all languages, Dhankhar said, “Separatism and language learning are at opposite ends of the spectrum.”

The Vice President also spoke on national security, highlighting India's growing self-reliance in the defence sector. “From precision air strikes to the recent Operation Sindh, India has demonstrated remarkable clarity, courage and indigenous capability,” he noted.

He warned against the threats posed by illegal migration and what he termed the 'bomb culture', describing them as serious challenges to national sovereignty and social harmony. Referring to a recent Jharkhand High Court directive to identify illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, he pointed out that demographic imbalances could foster militancy and unrest.

Calling upon the youth to rise to these challenges, he said, “As Dr Ambedkar reminded us, our commitment to India must remain unwavering. Beyond religion, culture and language, let us remember we are Indians first and last. Move forward with courage and dedication, and make the nation proud.”