NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said India must focus on becoming powerful and economically strong, asserting that the world respects strength and not just ideals. Addressing a national education conference in Kochi, Bhagwat declared that India no longer has to be the “golden bird” of the past but must now transform into “a lion”.“It is necessary because the world understands power. So Bharat should become strong. It also has to become wealthy from an economic perspective,” Bhagwat said at the ‘Gyan Sabha’ organised by RSS-affiliated Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas.Emphasising national identity, Bhagwat said “Bharat” is a proper noun and should not be translated. “India is Bharat. That is true. But Bharat is Bharat. That is why, while talking, writing and speaking, be it personal or public, we should keep Bharat as Bharat,” he said.He stressed that a country’s identity must be preserved for it to be respected. “The identity of Bharat is respected because it is Bharat. If you lose your identity, whatever other meritorious qualities you may have, you will never be respected or secure in this world. That is the thumb rule,” he said.The RSS chief also spoke at length about the purpose of education, saying it should equip individuals to live independently and contribute to society. “Bharatiya education teaches sacrifice and living for others,” he said, adding that anything which promotes selfishness cannot be called true education.Bhagwat further noted that education is not limited to schooling but also includes the environment at home and within society. He urged society to reflect on the kind of atmosphere needed to raise responsible and confident future generations.The conference was attended by Kerala governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, academicians, and vice chancellors of various universities.