Speech by Ambassador Y. K. Sailas Thangal during Plenary Session on "Accessible and Quality Education for All: Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities” International Forum
(Astana, 23 April 2026)

Excellency, Mr  Erlan Abdiyev, Deputy of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Excellency,  Mr. Kasymkhan Sengazyev, Head of the Department of Education of Astana

Dear Mr. Gajdembek Tursynov, Deputy Head of the Methodological Center of the Akimat of Astana

Distinguished Professors, Education Specialists, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamualaikum, Salametsiz be, Namaskar and good morning.

It is a privilege for me to participate in the international forum on “Accessible and Quality Education for All: Practices, Challenges and Opportunities.” I am honored to represent India, a country where education has long been regarded as a path to enlightenment, empowerment and human progress.

India’s educational heritage stretches back thousands of years. Ancient centres of learning such as Nalanda, Takshashila, and Vikramashila attracted scholars from many parts of the world. Today, that tradition continues through our modern institutions such as IITs, NITs, IIMs, IIITs and IISC along with strong commitment to school education, reflecting continuity, inclusiveness, and transformation.

Today, India carries forward this legacy on an extraordinary scale. Indian education system serves more than 250 million students through over 1.4 million schools, supported by millions of teachers. With nearly 65 percent of our population under the age of 35, education is not merely a social service for India — it is the foundation of our national development and our contribution to the future of the world.

In India, India believe that education is not simply about acquiring knowledge or earning a livelihood. It is about building character, discipline, and responsibility. It is about preparing individuals who can contribute positively to society and create a better future for all.

Recognizing this importance, education in India is a fundamental right under Article 21A of India’s Constitution. This constitutional commitment ensures that every child has the right to free and compulsory education, transforming education from an aspiration into a national responsibility.

India’s National Education Policy 2020 provides the broad framework for making education more inclusive, flexible, and future-ready. It focuses on early childhood education, foundational literacy, teacher training, technology integration, research, and equitable access, while encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and human values alongside academic learning.

To achieve these goals, India has launched several major initiatives. Programmes have been designed to strengthen school infrastructure, improve learning outcomes, promote girls’ education, support teacher development, and provide nutrition to children in the form of mid-day meal scheme in schools. We recognize that a child cannot learn effectively on an empty stomach, and therefore school nutrition remains an essential part of India’s educational approach.

In the 21st century, technology has become an important tool for inclusion. India has embraced digital learning to bridge geographical and social barriers. Online platforms, television channels, digital classrooms, and multilingual educational resources are helping us reach students even in remote areas, making education more accessible than ever before.

Naturally, implementing education at such a vast scale brings challenges. Despite these ceaseless efforts India still has miles to travel before we reach the destination. Hence several issues such as geographic diversity, infrastructure gaps, digital access, teacher training, and sustained financial investment remain important challenges that needs to be overcome. Yet we see these not only as obstacles but also as opportunities to innovate and strengthen our education system.

Ladies and gentlemen, education remains the greatest equalizer. It transforms poverty into opportunity, exclusion into empowerment, and dreams into achievement. In this regard, the wisdom of the great Kazakh thinker Abai Qunanbaiuly reminds us that true knowledge is reflected not only in information, but in the development of wisdom and character.

Ultimately, the strength of any education system is measured not by its size, but by its ability to uplift every individual and create a more just, compassionate, and prosperous society.

I am confident that forums such as this provide valuable opportunities for all of us to learn from one another and to work together in building a future where quality education is truly available to everyone.

Khop Rahmet.

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