Bhopal: More organisations should come forward for research and development (R&D) works as it can provide solution to most of the ills plaguing the country and "the government alone cannot do everything required for the development of the nation", President Pratibha Patil said here on Sunday.

Patil addressed a gathering after inaugurating the Centre for Research and Development (CARD) of the People's Group, an organisation that works in the field of medical education and health services.

She said more groups and organisations should come forward to promote technology, research and education since the government alone cannot do everything required for the development of the nation.

Earlier inaugurating the administrative and the academic building of the Bhoj Open University here, Patil said arrangements should be made so that education reaches each and every household, including those living in remote areas or those who could not study due to various reasons.

"This can be made possible through distance education," she said, adding that women and people living in remote areas can be educated through distance education and brought in the main stream of development.

"Since education has a vital role to play in the development of the nation, educating women through distance education was also necessary for taking the country to a new height of development."

She said special emphasis has been laid on higher education in the Eleventh Five Year Plan and the methodology of distance education has also undergone a sea change with information, communication and technology being incorporated in it.

She said only education can prepare responsible citizens but at the same time it should also be employment-oriented and courses in agriculture, hygiene, and dairy should also be started so as to create job opportunities for the rural youth.

Governor Balram Jakhar said no person was complete without education and commercialisation of education would not be allowed to succeed.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said an independent education commission comprising educationists was the need of the hour. IANS