Minister Pant Urges Youth to Dream of Changing Nepal
Minister for Education, Science, and Technology, Raghuji Pant, has called on students and youth to envision a transformed Nepal and take responsibility for the country’s future.
He made this statement during the 24th anniversary celebration of Madan Bhandari Memorial College held on Saturday.
“Do You Dream of Changing the Country?”
Addressing the gathering, Minister Pant said,
“I appeal to the youth — do you dream of changing this country? My generation made efforts in the past. We are not the ones to lead tomorrow. Are you going to become the next prime minister, minister, or parliamentarian? Or will you just earn a degree and end up washing dishes in a restaurant in New York, working at a petrol pump in Chicago, or disappearing into the alleys of Sydney?”
He emphasized that the path lies ahead, and it is for the youth to choose.
Teachers' Role in Nation Building
Minister Pant stressed that quality teaching is a teacher’s greatest contribution to nation-building.
He said,
“Delivering good education is itself a teacher’s service to the nation. The ability to leave a lasting impression on students is a big achievement. A teacher plays a crucial role in shaping students’ personalities.”
Human Values Cannot Be Downloaded
Pant pointed out that while today’s students search everything on Google and ChatGPT, human values still come from real human connection.
“You can find everything on the internet, but humanity doesn’t come from an app — it comes from the people you spend time with. I learned much from my grandparents. The values instilled at a young age shape character.”
He stressed that teaching should engage the heart and stay in the memory of students.
Teaching is an Art Beyond Degrees
He added,
“The real personality builders are teachers. We don’t need students who say ‘Will you fulfill our demands or not?’ We need students who remember their teachers with respect. I still remember the teacher who taught me poetry well — it sparked my interest in literature. Teaching is an art. You may be able to write well and pass degrees, but holding a class's attention for 40–45 minutes is a different challenge.”
Campus Head and Guests Reflect on Vision
Campus Chief Dr. Baburam Adhikari said the college was established to apply Madan Bhandari’s vision and ideology in practical ways.
He noted the college is working to expand new programs in line with market demands and appealed to the Minister, Tribhuvan University, and other stakeholders for necessary support.
Distinguished Guests and Honors
Former ministers Mahendra Pandey, Dr. Bimala Rai Paudyal, and Usha Kiran Bhandari, Chairperson of the Madan Bhandari Foundation, were present at the event.
Outstanding teachers, students, and staff of the college were honored during the ceremony.
