Dr. Shashi Tharoor MP,
Shri S. Ananthakrishnan IPS, Addl. Director General of Police,
Shri Manoj Abraham IPS, IGP, Trivandrum Range,
Shri G. Jaidev IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police,
Shri V. Suresh Kumar, Asst. Commissioner of Police,
My Dear Student Cadets,
Friends in the Media,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
It gives me great joy to inaugurate the eighth Annual District Level Summer Camp of the Student Police Cadets, organized jointly by Kerala Police and the Department of Education, Government of Kerala.
Let me begin by congratulating the leadership of the Student Police Cadet Project on the tremendous growth achieved by this movement in the last eight years. From an initial enrollment of just 11000 in 127 schools in 2010, this prestigious school-based youth development initiative has spread to 574 schools, training 48000 students.
I must also congratulate each of you for deciding to be Student Police Cadets. By enrolling in this project, you have expressed your willingness to serve society by growing up as responsible citizens and future leaders of the largest democratic society in the world. Here, you will develop respect for the law, discipline, civic sense, empathy for weaker sections of society etc. Most importantly, a Student Police Cadet will be empowered to resist social evils and negative tendencies like intolerance, substance abuse, deviant behavior, and anti-establishment violence. In short, your involvement in the Student Police Cadet would strengthen your commitment towards your family, the community, and the environment.
I understand that around 700 senior Student Police Cadets from 24 schools are participating in this Camp. As Cadets trained to be leaders of tomorrow, you should first of all, be aware of our social realities, our culture and heritage. For this, you should cultivate the habit of observation and develop an interest in learning from everything around us, however unassuming they are.
For instance, this school, where we are now camping, carries the name of a great social reformer, Shri. Ayyan Kali, who fought for the rights of the downtrodden people in Kerala. His greatness was that he gave priority to Education among his demands for equal rights. He started a school for the people who were seen as untouchable and even exhorted his fellowmen not to work for landlords if their children were denied education. Before this camp concludes, I hope you would acquire adequate knowledge about this reformer, whose social commitment has very few parallels.
In fact, social reformers all over the world have believed in the power of education in changing society. And, education, asSwami Vivekananda once said, is not the amount of information that runs riot in your brain, remaining undigested all your life. It must be a process by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, and intellect is sharpened, so that one can stand on one’s own feet. The Student Police Cadet project is one that provides you with such an education, that surpasses the narrow world of your text books.
Most of you would be aware about India being one of the most youthful nations, with two thirds of the population under 35 years of age. This means, Indians could corner a large share of the upcoming employment opportunities in the entire world. In such a favourable situation, we should equip ourselves by developing as world citizens who will learn, think and perform globally. The training and interactions you get as Student Police Cadets would certainly equip you with the social awareness and life skills needed to succeed in the 21st Century.
Though the training has already disciplined you to a certain extent, I would like to remind you about being aware about gender equality and the need to respect and protect the rights of the girl child. As Student Police Cadets, you should start practicing gender equality in your homes and schools, since renouncing practices derogatory to the dignity of women is a major Fundamental duty of every citizen.
I must also remind you about the other Fundamental Duties that every citizen, especially the youth should always keep in mind and strictly follow. As citizens, the Article 51-A of our Constitution urges us to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem; to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom and to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India. All our actions should help to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood in society.
There are some other duties too, but I would stress on the development of scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform, because these are what many of our youngsters lack at present. We live in the world of social media which are very useful, but are now being used more for spreading false information and negative thinking. Most of our youth are also falling into the trap of cyber crimes for being party to the abuse of social media. Our scientific temper should help us in using such gadgets in a positive way.
Last, but not the least, we have a duty to protect public property and to abjure violence. If the entire population of Student Police Cadets decide to follow these duties in letter and spirit, our State and nation would be much better and advanced places.
In conclusion, I hope that all the Student Cadets and teachers attending this District Camp would benefit from the training and interactive sessions. Let us strengthen ourselves through the knowledge and leadership skills we acquire from this camp so that we help to create a stronger and better tomorrow.
I compliment each and everyone who engineered the Student Police Cadet project and the organizers for conducting this function and the Camp in a befitting manner.
I once again greet all the student cadets and wish them the strength and fortitude to be the leaders of tomorrow.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni / Jai Hind
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