The teachings and philosophies of saints from various parts of the country would form part of the new curriculum framework now adopted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training and the Central Board of Secondary Education, Union Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi said on Saturday.

"We are determined to make the 21st century India's century, where India will lead with her spiritual power, for which the wisdom and teachings of great social emancipators should be recalled," Joshi said while inaugurating the three-day Sree Narayana World Convention and Global Meet in Kochi.

Stating that Sree Narayana Guru was a great inspiration for organisations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and BJP, he said the guru heralded the economic emancipation of the downtrodden and emphasised on the creation of a strong economic backbone for the spiritual uplift of society.

Describing Adi Sankara and Sree Narayana Guru as the two illustrious sons of Kerala, he said their teachings and those of others who worked for an egalitarian society should be known to everybody.

"Their teachings should form an essential part of the curriculum," he said adding this aspect had been 'neglected' in our education system.

Referring to the theme of the global meet -- 'Power to the downtrodden', the minister said BJP had been making serious efforts to end social inequality.

The maximum number of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes MPs and MLAs were elected on the BJP ticket and the party's support to the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh should be seen in this context, he said.

A resolution to set up a Sree Narayana University in Kerala was passed at the convention.

Nearly 1500 delegates, including 500 NRIs, are participating in the convention being organised under the auspices of US-based Sree Narayana World Council, and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana yogam.