Shri A.K. Balan, Hon’ble Minister for Welfare of SC-ST and
Backward Classes, Law, Culture and Parliamentary Affairs,
Dr. Mathew Manakkarakavil, Vicar General,
Major Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram,
Shri K.V. Mohankumar, Director of Public Instructions,
Shri G. Radhakrishnan, Governing Body Member,
Rev. Fr. C.C. John, Principal, St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Pattom,
Shri Palliyara Sreedharan, Director, Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature,
Shri Abi Abraham, Headmaster, St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Pattom,
Priya Adhyapakare,
Priyappetta Kochu Koottukaare
Friends in media,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.
It gives me great joy to address this vibrant gathering of students at the Valedictory of Nehru Smriti 2018, a fortnight long programme organized jointly by the State Institute of Children's Literature and theGeneral Education Department, Government of Kerala.
Let me at the outset, convey to all children present here my sincere love and best wishes on the occasion of Children’s Day. It is always a great feeling to address children, because when we address children, we are addressing the future of our country. In the company of children, one also gets the feeling of going back to one's childhood.
I also congratulate the State Institute of Children's Literature on its success in organizing a series of programmes in connection with Children's Day. As we all know, this Institute, functioning under the Department of Culture, Govt. of Kerala is the only institute of its kind in the State and has succeeded in nurturing children's literature by bringing out books of high readability and quality.
As all of us know, today, the 14th of November is the birth anniversary of our first Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Panditji's great love for children and his belief that children were like buds in a garden to be carefully and lovingly nurtured are very well known. Any mention of Panditji will not be complete without mentioning his lead role in our Freedom Struggle. Today, we have honored Shri Padmanabha Pillai, who is a freedom fighter. I consider this as a laudable step, since we are duty-bound to educate our children on the hardships we endured in gaining independence.
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru also loved to share his knowledge with children and the youth. I am certain that all of you are aware of how the letters he wrote from prison to his daughter continue to give our children a clear glimpse of the history of the world. His books like Discovery of India and Glimpses of World History, which have been widely read, have certainly contributed to the intellectual development of millions of students in India.
It is therefore, truly befitting on the part of the Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature to have celebrated Children's Day with programmes that encourage the habit of reading among young students of all the 14 districts of the State. I am happy to know that Quiz contests and seminars were conducted in several venues and that book exhibitions were held to introduce to the make children, the books brought out by the Institute. Releasing a total of 50 books on such an occasion is certainly not an ordinary achievement.
It is said that the aim of Children's literature is to make our children better, to instill noble ideals in them and to lovingly mould them into men and women of character. It is through children's literature that adults can engage in sharing of ideas and values. What has struck me as very special among the achievements of this Institute is that it could encourage many well known writers like Shri T. Padmanabhan, Smt. Madhavikkutty, Shri N P Muhammed etc to write books for children.
There was a time when children's literature was limited to story-telling, since we had been following our rich oral tradition that gave us the stories from Panchatantraand other works. Retelling such stories in the language of children has been a major challenge to writers. I understand that this challenge has been taken up by this Institute by bringing out classics like Mahahbaratha, Panchathantra, Tales from the Arabian Nights, etc., taking care to keep them as close to the original as possible, in content and style.
But, are stories enough for our children? In today's knowledge society, the informative and scientific books are in greater demand among all age groups. Stories can certainly ignite the imagination of children, but the development of a scientific temper is also very helpful in the intellectual development if every child. In addition, we need to educate our children on their rights as individuals. Today, Education is a fundamental right of every child. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 obligates the State to provide education to children in the age group of 6-14 years. But, how many children are aware of it? Organizations like the Kerala State Institute for children's Literature take an initiative to give children books that would update them with their rights and satisfy their curiosity on scientific matters applicable in daily life.
I would also call your attention to the new alternatives to the printed book. Today, if we see lesser number of children reading the printed books, it need not be a matter of concern. The younger generation may prefer to read on-line or hold an e-reader instead of the paperback edition of a book. Noted English essayist Francis Bacon'sstatement that 'Reading makes a full man', should apply to the electronic reading devices too. It is high time our idea of popularization of books extended to the electronic editions also.
The celebration of Children's Day must enable each one of us to think about the condition of children in our rural areas. Some of them are affected by Poverty which renders them unable to achieve their full potential. Similarly, as children, you also need to be sensitive to Gender equality. In fact, Gender equality is something which should start at our homes and in our childhood. Every boy must ensure that the girls in his house or classroom get equal rights and consideration as he gets.
I congratulate all the children who have won prizes in the various competitions. I also compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Shishu Dina Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
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