Silchar: Emphasising that the National Education Policy (NEP) is rooted in freedom of choice rather than imposition, Assam Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu on Thursday said the three-language formula aims to promote cultural balance and national unity while fully respecting regional and mother languages.
Dr Pegu was delivering the keynote address at the first Rabijit Choudhury Memorial Lecture organised by Gurucharan University, Silchar, on the theme “Three Language Policy of NEP: Is It the Way Forward?”. He clarified that no language is being forced on any linguistic group under the NEP and termed claims of Hindi imposition as unfounded. The policy, he said, encourages learning based on interest and aptitude, not compulsion.
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Extending his address beyond education, the minister cautioned against the growing threat of AI-driven misinformation in journalism. He warned that AI-generated fake images, videos and reports pose serious risks to public trust and urged journalists to remain vigilant, technologically updated and ethically grounded. Stressing responsible journalism, he said verification of facts must take precedence over speed in news dissemination.
Dr Pegu paid rich tribute to veteran journalist Rabijit Choudhury, recalling his contributions as a journalist, public thinker and social activist committed to social justice and the uplift of marginalised communities. He lauded Gurucharan University for institutionalising Choudhury’s legacy through the memorial lecture.
Presiding over the programme, Vice Chancellor Prof. Niranjan Roy spoke on Assam’s early implementation of the NEP and highlighted the link between multilingual education and economic growth. The event, organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell in coordination with the Department of Mass Communication, witnessed the presence of Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty, academicians, students and members of Choudhury’s family, including his son Shankhadeep Choudhury.
