Shashi Tharoor, MP, has said that the country’s demographic dividend will turn out to be a demographic disaster if “we do not provide education to all sections of society including the poor, the marginalised, Dalits and tribals.”

“If we don’t, the alternative stares us on the face because [in] the 125 of the 625 districts, we have seen Maoist violence as unemployed, undereducated and unemployable young men, particularly from tribal populations, are induced by wrong-headed ideologues to take up a life of violence with a thousand rupee and Kalashnikov,” he said at the ‘Excellence for Social Transformation’ lecture 2018 on ‘Education and India’s future’ at Sacred Heart College, Thevara, here on Friday.

Stating that education is not only a tool for social transformation, but also important for national security, Mr. Tharoor pointed out that the education system has failed to give them [Maoists] a stake in society.

“It has failed to equip them with the skills that would give them a chance to make a decent living for themselves and their family, and therefore they have no stake in Indian economy, no stake in the future of India, because they believe they have no part in it and that’s why they have turned to Maoism and to violence,” he said.

Suggesting that the country promote excellence in education to transform society, Mr. Tharoor said that it’s very important to provide value education and instil gender sensitivity from a young age.

“Because we have unfortunately a mentality of disrespect for women on the part of many boys in various parts of the country. It’s a reflection of our failure to educate children the equality of sexes and the importance of treating girls with dignity,” he said.

Expressing gratitude to his parents for allowing him to pursue humanities instead of science, Mr. Tharoor urged parents to “let their children study what they want to study”. “Don’t ask them to fulfil your dreams. Don’t force them to take a course of your choice,” he said.

K.V. Thomas, MP, Hibi Eden, MLA, Fr. Augustine Thottakkara, Manager, and Fr. Prasant Palackappillil, Principal, attended. The lecture was part of the platinum jubilee celebrations of the college.

Dissent in democracy

Speaking on ‘Dissent and Democracy’ at a programme organised by the Centre for Human Rights and the National Service Scheme unit of National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kalamassery, he said there is a thin line of dissent in democracy, which often gets mistaken for contempt.

A release issued by the organisers quoted him as saying that it was a matter of concern for society when somebody takes law into their hands and indulge in mob-lynching.