In Pics: Smriti Irani in Aap Ki Adalat

New Delhi: Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Zubin Irani has rubbished allegations by the Opposition that she was working on the RSS agenda for changing curriculum and rewriting history.Replying to questions from Rajat Sharma in India TV's show Aap Ki Adalat, to be telecast on Saturday (Nov 8) night, Irani said: "I say with pride that I am the grand daughter of a (RSS) swayamsevak, I have gone to (RSS) shakha and if you feel that RSS indulges in anti-national work, I deny it completely."The RSS workers have shed their blood and sweat for the nation, they never fought for power, they worked to rid the country of corruption and ensure justice to the people. "If meeting (RSS) patriots (deshbhakhts) is a crime, then let me say, I am even ready to be hanged."Smriti Irani was reacting to Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's remark that RSS leaders from Nagpur were making a beeline to Shastri Bhawan that houses the HRD ministry.Asked whether Smriti Irani favoured the RSS agenda for changing the curriculum and rewriting history, Smriti Irani said: "I have already told the Parliament that as far as curriculum is concerned, it will be debated by academicians and experts, together with state governments on the platform of CABE (Central Advisory Board of Education)."When I took over, officials of my ministry asked me, what my agenda was. I clearly told them that my agenda does not have politicians as stakeholders, it has only students and their parents."Asked about her frequent meetings with RSS leaders, Irani quipped: "If you go through my entire schedule, you will find that I have also met leaders from the Congress and the Left, even Left-supported unions in my office."Citing two instances, Irani disclosed how a Congress MP from Karnataka, whose name she did not reveal, came to her and requested that a Kendriya Vidyalaya be set up in his constituency."The Congress was ruling for the last 10 years, but I provided the solution within an hour. If I had sat on his request only because he belonged to the Congress, the fate of children would have been affected."Similarly, in Uri, north Kashmir, I got a request that the Kendriya Vidyalaya there had classes only till 10, and for studying in classes 11 and 12, they had to go to Srinagar. I gave sanction for classes 11 and 12 within 3 hours, and classes 11 have already began in this year's academic session itself. I could have easily delayed that and waited to score brownie points before the elections", said Irani.The HRD Minister also recounted another instance of a girl Julia Minz, who was the board exam topper in Jharkhand, but was carrying bricks at a construction site."When I read in a newspaper, I contacted her, and asked her what help she needed. We got her admitted to the Xavier's College, so that she could prepare for the IAS. Strangely, I found my HRD ministry had no scholarship scheme to offer to such a meritorious girl student. I arranged a scholarship for her from the Tribal Affairs Ministry", said Irani.Irani announced launch of Ishaan scheme for North-East students from November 17 (International Students Day) and two other schemes - Udaan scholarships for girl students and Credit Transfer Framework of Equivalence from November 11.Under the Ishaan scheme, 2,000 students and 500 faculty members from the North-East will be offered stay, food and travel, free of cost, by the Centre to find out career options or further studies in IITs, IIMs, all central universities and ISRO.Under the Credit Transfer Framework of Equivalence, students from Class 9 to post-graduation can benefit from credit transfer, even if they break their studies mid-way due to jobs. "This will be a seamless credit transfer involving all central universities, and the student's work time at his place of job will be accounted for in the credit", said Irani.Under the Udaan scholarship scheme, meritorious girl students would get resources from the IITs and CBSE to prepare themselves for competitive exams. There will be a CBSE helpline and call centre, and they can also take help in studies from a mentor on weekends, Irani said.The HRD Minister said, the biggest challenge was to provide access to education for students willing to study further."From the next academic session, we will launch MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses) which will be available on laptops, computers and mobile phones on a platform named Swayambhu."Courses will be offered from IITs, IIMs, NITs and central universities free of cost for acquiring graduate, post-graduate degrees. The students will be issued certificates after they appear in the exams at the institutes or any authorised centres. For the first time, students will benefit from the knowledge of IITs and IIMs", Irani said. "This online course will be a good enabling factor for the youths", she added.When Rajat Sharma asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi described her as "chhoti behan" (younger sister) at the Amethi election meeting because she was a popular actor, Smriti Irani replied: "Modiji described me as a younger sister, not because I was an actor. Let me speak the truth. I never imagined, nor hoped about that."Today he is the PM, and when he blessed me in Amethi, it was a surprise to me. The feeling and confidence with which he blessed me, if you ask, which of the two will you choose - a minister's post or a blessing to a younger sister, I will say, I will accept the blessing, not the kursi (chair)."