HRD Ministry to provide 12,000 free e-books on mobile app

The Union human resource development (HRD) ministry is set to provide 12,000 books in e-format for higher education in the next month under its prestigious e-Pathshala initiative.

According to HRD minister Smriti Irani, this study material in the form of books will be available free on a mobile app.

Irani was visiting the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) here to lay the foundation stone of a women’s hostel. Addressing the gathering, she said, “The study material would be related to various subjects and topics for higher education.”

The ministry has already made available all NCERT textbooks, from class 1 to 12, in e-format for students.

Irani also said that under the ministry’s ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’, all higher educational institutions would now have to adopt 10 villages, instead of five, in their vicinity.

Under the scheme, institutes like the IITs, IIMs and central universities have to adopt villages to educate children who do not have access to education.

“The institutions must make sure that they mention in the academic record of every student about his or her participation in the abhiyan,” Irani said.

She also assured all financial aid to BBAU and other institutions in implementing the scheme.

Irani also appealed to students to help one needy person each after passing out from their institutions. “After getting their degrees, students are busy searching for a job. This is justified as they have to secure their future and serve their parents. But they must also make sure to help at least one needy person each,” she said.

Source: Hindustan Times, 11-01-2016