Shri G. Sudhakaran, Hon’ble Minister for PWD,
Shri Ramesh Chennithala, Opposition Leader,
Shri K.C. Venugopal, Member of Parliament,
Baselious Marthoma Paulose II, Catholics of the East and Malankara Metropolitan,
Shri H. Niyas, President, Chingoli Grama Panchayat,
Shri Jimmy V. Kaippallil, President, Karthikappally Grama Panchayat,
Shri T.K. Devakumar, Chairman, Coir Corporation,
Smt. Sheela K., Ward Member, Chingoli Grama Panchayat,
Smt. Shalbi Varghese, Principal,
Shri R. Vinod, President, Parent-Teachers Association,
Priyappetta Adhyapakare, Vidyaarthikale,
Priyappetta Madhyama Suhruthukale,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.
I am very happy to inaugurate the Centenary Celebrations of the St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Karthikappally and to lay the foundation stone of the proposed Centenary building.
Let me at the outset, compliment the management, teachers, students and alumni of this school for celebrating the Centenary of this institution in a befitting way.
Let me also recall the insight and initiative of the founding fathers of this temple of learning and bow before the services of the teachers whose scholarly presence has blessed this institution, during the last hundred years.
A look at Kerala's history would reveal the significance of Karthikappally, which was once known as a Naattu Raajyam, or a prominent region. The status of Karthikappally as a Buddhist Centre and as a Trading spot by virtue of being near to an inland waterway that enabled free traffic of goods is also well known. Moreover, I am told that the St Thomas Orthodox Cathedral of this locality is known to be one of the ancient churches in Kerala and that it still preserves palm-leaf manuscripts that throw light on Kerala's past.
With such a rich socio-cultural tradition, it is only natural that this school, named after St. Thomas, the Apostleof India, could effectively encourage the spread of knowledge in this locality. I am informed that ever since its humble beginning in 1919 as an upper primary school, this institution has been on the path of steady growth and development, first to a high school in 1956 and in 2014, to a Higher Secondary Institution imparting education in English as well as Malayalam, to 1750 students ranging from Kindergarten to 12th standard. One can definitely say that the history of this school is also the history of the educational progress of this locality.
The merit of a school is measured by the achievements of its students. I am happy to note that the St. Thomas Higher Secondary Schoolhas a high reputation both in academic and other activities like National Service Scheme, Junior Red Cross, Scout & Guides etc. The fact that some students have won Rajya Puraskar Awards in Scout and State level honours in Junior Red Cross speaks volumes about the dedication of the students.
As we all know, Education is the greatest asset of a human being. It is also the foundation for a nation’s sustainable development and the key to every citizen's right to a decent life and individual development. Education must endow us with the skills for livelihood and give us the capacity to strengthen our ideals of democracy and social justice.
Today, we see a high level of competition among students to secure high marks and admission to the most desired institutions. At the same time, we also see a very reduced level of interactions among children. The aim of education should be to equip children to face the world with courage and compassion. It is through social interactions that our children should develop compassion and social commitment.
Our children should learn the lessons of social responsibility from schools since there is no enlightenment greater than social commitment. I must admit that, having known about the social interactions of students and teachers of this school during the recent floods, I am certain that we can be really hopeful about our younger generation. It is good to know that the children took part in relief work and that the school has decided to construct houses for two flood affected families.
I hope the proposed centenary building would help to considerably increase the level of infrastructure in this school. Infrastructure and technological advances are essential in improving the quality of education and we should certainly avail ourselves of the vast possibilities of information and communication technology for effective sharing of knowledge. Acquisition of skills and cultivating a positive attitude are also equally important to succeed in today's life. But, let us not forget that knowledge is not limited to the mere accumulation of facts and technological capacity. The measure of the Knowledge we have gained is also decided by the wealth of the values we have acquired.
As a person hailing from Judiciary, I think it is my duty to remind the teachers and management of this school that children should be smart not only in technology but also in the knowledge of their rights as well as fundamental duties. I hope the school would take up as a Centenary year project, a special programme to create awareness among students about the fundamental duties mentioned in the Constitution and about Child Rights which no institution can deny our children.
The reputation of an educational institution is also built on the quality of the contribution of its students to society.
I am certain that many of the former students of this institution during the last hundred years would have achieved name and fame and influenced society in creative ways. The alumni should involve in the material and intellectual development of the school. I would also 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.
I once again greet all the students, staff and parents of the St. Thomas Higher Secondary Schooland wish them all the best.
I compliment the organizers for conducting this inaugural function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
