Patriotism must show in everyday habits, not just Tricolour hoisting: Sood

India, Independence Day, Tricolour, Ashish Sood,

Sood, attending the golden jubilee celebrations of Modern School, Vasant Vihar, as chief guest, emphasised the importance of leading a disciplined life and respecting the rights of fellow citizens as a service to the nation. “Patriotism is not limited to just hoisting the Tricolour, but should also be reflected in everyday habits and discipline, such as cleanliness, following traffic rules, and respecting the rights of others,” he said.

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The minister urged students to reflect on how they can help address the country’s challenges after completing their schooling. “We must think about what we will give back to the country and Delhi when we complete our education,” he said.

He noted that India faces formidable challenges such as climate change, the ethical use of artificial intelligence, the geopolitics of semiconductors, and shortages of water and energy. To tackle these, he said, the new generation must blend Indian values with modernity.

Sood outlined upcoming upgrades in Delhi government schools, including 21,000 smart classrooms, AI-based labs, and facial recognition–enabled attendance systems. He added that schools will also use AI to handle the critical and complex task of paper evaluation.

Highlighting the past contribution of government schools in producing IAS officers, doctors, and engineers, he said the national capital’s government is now offering facilities on par with private schools. However, he noted, the government remains open to suggestions and experiences from private institutions to help Delhi’s education system reach new heights.