Shri M.K. Muneer, MLA,
Shri P. Mohammed Ali,
Shri K. V. Kunhamed, General Secretary, Mohammedan, Educational Association,
Shri T.P. Imbichammed,
Shri P. K. Abdul Azeez, President, Mohammedan Educational Association,
Shri P. S. Assan Koya, Secretary, Centenary Celebrations,
Shri P. V. Hassan Joya, Joint Secretary, Mohammedan Educational Association,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.
It gives me great joy to inaugurate the valedictory function of the Centenary Celebration of Madrasthul Muhammadiya Vocational & Higher Secondary School, Kozhikode, which has played a significant role in the educational history of not just Kozhikode district, but of the coastal regions of Malabar as well.
Let me at the outset, pay my respects to the generations of teachers, past and present, who have blessed this institution through their scholarly presence during the last ten decades. As we look back on the events of the decades that have passed, we feel the presence and blessings of those teachers, especially those who are no more with us.
I also compliment the school management and teachers for having initiated a year-long celebration with 101 Programmes and projects as part of the school’s centenary year. This institution had celebrated its golden Jubilee in 1968 and Platinum Jubilee in 1993. I am happy to know that the programmes as part of the Centenary year were aimed at empowering the students and the society in general to be future-ready, by suitably enhancing the quality of education and establishing a digital culture among them.
I understand that the establishment of this school was a sincere attempt to address the educational backwardness of the Muslim community of this locality in the early 20th Century. The names of three notable persons – the Late Haji K K Kunhahammed Koya, the Late Mammed Kutty Haji and the Late Haji Ali Baramy, who formed the Mohammedan Educational Association, deserve to be remembered now. It was the Association's vision to start this school with a two-fold education system that combined modern education with sound religious instruction in the Aligarh model. Today, I am happy to note that this school imparts vocational training with the aim of strengthening the digital culture by establishing Cyber Home.
As we all know, the accomplishments of a school is measured in terms of the greatness of the teachers as well as the students, especially the alumni who are serving the world in different capacities. I am informed that the illustrious alumni of this institution include the Late P.P. Ummer Koya, Gandhian and former Minister for Education, the Late Paanakkad Mohammedali Shihab Thangal, his brother Janaab Paanakkad Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal and the President of the Indian Union Muslim League in Kerala, noted actor Shri Maamu Koya and many other well known people. I was pleasantly surprised to know that the Late A.K. Gopalan, Communist Leader and former Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, was a teacher here for some time.
I would request the students of today to set some of these illustrious alumni as their role models and then work hard to excel like them or better still, to outperform them. Our teachers present here must put their heart into such a process of refinement of the students' personality. I am reminded of the great intellectual Sir Syed Ahmed Khan who believed that the human soul was like a rough piece of marble, on which the teacher, like a sculptor must work and refine so that the good qualities and grace latent in a student emerge to brighten the world.
As we all know, it is the standard of education imparted at all levels that decides the progress of any country, big or small. Today, Kerala is in the process of ensuring smart class rooms in as many schools as possible. No wonder, digital empowerment has become a reality in our State. However, along with technological readiness, we have to ensure that our students, especially those who get vocational training, are also empowered with the life skills required for the 21st century. Therefore, the creation of a strong foundation of knowledge and skills in each child is what every school has to ensure.
It is said that education is not just a preparation for life; in fact, it is life itself. There are many people in history who were never the products of any academy or school. Their classroom and school were actual life situations, from which they learned valuable lessons in democracy, social justice and moral values. Driven by a purpose in life, they had built institutions, led movements and even changed the course of history. In fact, it is the wealth of social awareness that made them leaders or role models. I would therefore stress that education should enable students to keep their eyes and ears open to the pulse of the society.
Having said this, I must also admit that during the recent floods, our youth especially the students had dispelled some of our fears about their attitude. We had been hearing about our youth being addicted to their digital devices and being insensitive to the world around them. But, they proved us wrong by engaging in relief work and by putting good use of the digital devices for conveying vital information. I sincerely hope that our youth would continue to show such involvement in the matter of protecting our environment also I would request the students of this school to take up the protection of the environment in this locality as a Centenary year project.
Mahatma Gandhi,the Father of our Nation, has emphasized the need for moral and spiritual training as an essential part of education. Only such an education can free the minds of pupils from hatred and prejudice. I hope the spiritual and religious training imparted to students in this school would help them attain a purity of mind and an openness to accept knowledge and ideas after weighing their true merit. It is this openness and purity that would make our students truly ready for the future.
I once again greet all the teachers, parents, former students and students who have assembled here and wish them the strength to make this institution one of the best in the State.
I also compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
