“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.

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.

“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,” he 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 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 took charge as HRD Minister on Thursday. His predecessor Smriti Irani, who has been given the charge of Textiles Ministry did not turn up for the event citing “family reasons”. Javadekar, who had met Irani on Wednesday, described her as his “little sister” and said he would carry on with the “good initiatives” taken by her. 

Javedakar also held a meeting with his officials soon after taking over during which he spoke on issues including geographic information system mapping of institutes and filling up of faculty vacancies.

(With inputs from PTI)

(Feature Image Source: PTI)