Shri Sajeev, PTA President,
Smt Beena K Thampi, Dean, Academics, Sidhartha group of Schools
Smt Prasanna, Grama Panchayat Member, Nedumbana
Shri Nazeruddin, Grama Panchayat Member, Nedumbana
Shri Suresh, Manager, Sidhartha Group of Schools,
Smt Sreerekha Prasad, Principal
Priyapetta Adhyapakare, Raksha karthakale,
Priyappetta Vidyarthikale,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare, Madhayama Suhruthuthukale
Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram
It gives me great joy to inaugurate the Temple of Communal Harmony by unveiling the Statue of Lord Buddha at Siddhartha Central School, Kollam. Let me begin by complimenting the school authorities for having constructed a Temple for the noble ideal of Communal Harmony to guide the younger generation through the right path.
As an institution named after one of the greatest teachers of the world, Siddhartha or Lord Buddha, this school has been catering to the needs of over 2000 students for the last 25 years. I am informed that this school is managed by a group of teachers and eminent personalities who started the ‘Siddhartha Foundation’, Kollam, a non-profitable and charitable trust. I am certain that the effective guidance of dedicated educationalists has been helpful in maintaining good academic standards.
As we all know, Sree Buddha guided the world through his concept of Four truths, the Middle way, the eight-fold path and several other principles that earned him the title of The Light of Asia. The essence of his teachings pointed to the search for enlightenment through the knowledge of the inner self. In his own words, a liberating insight is what Man should seek through life. That sublime insight is Knowledge, which we seek through education. It was this reverence for superior knowledge that later reflected in the teachings of Sree Naryana Guru, who considered the light of knowledge as God.
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.
The education imparted byschools all over the world is an endeavor to remould children into responsible citizens, ready to lead the world in future. Education involves a process of learning and unlearning, in tune with the changing trends and traits. What we learn in school will have a profound bearing on the formation of our potential and personality.
I am happy that Siddhartha School has implemented the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation Scheme in such a way that it covers all aspects of the students' development. It is essential that schools should attempt to fine-tune the abilities, attitudes and aptitudes which manifest in the students' performance. For this, teaching and training should be made a student-centered activity, which will lead to the intellectual, emotional, physical, cultural and social development of a child’s personality. It must include empowerment and assessment in scholastic as well as co-academic aspects
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. It is through social interactions that our children should develop compassion and social commitment. For this, children should be made aware of the social conditions and about how they can help in changing the lives of people around them.
It is here that I see the significance of the Temple of Communal Harmony that you have built inside the school campus. It give insights into the vast diversity of religions, regions, cultures and languages that give shape to India. Through such a temple, children would understand the need to see all religious beliefs with equal respect, thereby imprinting in their minds the importance of communal harmony and peace.
While nurturing a sense of communal harmony in our children which is truly laudable, I would request the school authorities to have programmes to enlighten children on their Rights as children and on their duties as future citizens. Education is now a fundamental right of every child. For instance, 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. Similarly, our children should know the Fundamental Duties prescribed in our Constitution. In fact, every child should learn and read the Preamble of our Constitution like a prayer, because it is the best guide to the spirit of our nation.
I would like to conclude by requesting all children sitting here to have their eyes and ears opened to the pulse of society. I would request them to make full use of the educational opportunities offered by the school. By cultivating good habits, maintaining good friends, by voicing your rights and by respecting the rights of others, you can attain high positions in life. You can also convince our society that you are the greatest resources for the prosperity of our country.
Let me end by conveying my best wishes to the management, all students, teachers and other staff. I also compliment the school for conducting this function in a befitting manner
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai hind
