Dr. N. Jayaraj, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Shri P.K. Haridas, District Educational Officer, Pala,
Smt. Sumathi Haridas, President, Bharatheeya Vidyaniketan,
Prof C.N. Purushothaman, President, Aravinda Charitable Society,
Ms. Arya R. Nair, Civil Service Rank Holder-2019,
Smt. Kavitha R.C., Principal, Aravinda Vidyamandiram,
Smt. Jayasree V., Vice Principal,
Dear Teachers, Parents,
Priyappetta Vidyarthikale,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram.
It gives me great joy to inaugurate the Pearl Jubilee celebrations of Aravinda Vidya Mandiram Senior Secondary School, which was set up with the noble aim of bestowing on Kottayam, the city of Letters, a student generation which gives utmost respect to our national culture while maintaining high academic level.
Let me at the outset, convey my appreciation to the management for deciding to celebrate this milestone by planning developmental programmes as well as conducting events which will enrich the intellectual mettle of the students.
While we celebrate the 30th anniversary of this institution, we are reminded of a good number of teachers, whose dedication to the sharing of knowledge has always benefited the students. I salute all of them for their honest efforts to bring up this institution to the present level.
This is also an occasion to recall the first Prantha Pracharak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Shri K.Bhaskara Rao, whose guidance resulted in the founding of this school under the Bharatheeya Vidya Nikethan [BVN], the Kerala Chapter of Vidya Bharathi. Today, the school has grown to an institution with 1720 students and 125 teaching & non-teaching staff. Let me also share with the school community, its joy and pride in the Silver Jubilee celebrations being attended in 2015 by eminent persons like Former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Shri L.K. Advanijiand Shri Mohan Bhagwat-ji, who leads the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
I am informed that this institution tries to nurture in students, values like humility and benevolence along with academic knowledge. Significantly enough, the school's effort has been to create a spiritually enlightened, intellectually empowered and socially committed generation, which would uphold India’s age old culture and tradition. I am certain that the scholastic tradition and the moral background of this school are the result of the spiritually oriented activities which accompany the routine education.
Enlightenment at all levels is what the process of education should always aim at. A cultured education equips the student with the courage and competence to go deep into the world of knowledge and to face the future with confidence and understanding. That is why it is said that education enlightens, empowers and ennobles.
I have always felt that education becomes meaningful only when it transforms raw children into young men and women who would soon be responsible citizens. Education should mould able-minded and able-bodied citizens capable of safeguarding the freedom and integrity of our country. It is through education that today's younger generation should think of transforming this nation to one of the strongest in the world.
Living in a knowledge society, 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. Knowing technology is also not the only sign of merit. The measure of the Knowledge we have gained is decided by the wealth of the values we have acquired.
I am happy that this school has paid keen attention to provide ‘Panchanga Sikshan’based on the five instructions in Music, Yoga, Physical Education, Sanskrit and Naithika Sikshan. It is laudable that with such a system, the school could develop the individual talent and intelligence of students by culturally and morally developing their personality. Here, one recalls Swamy Vivekanandawho rightly observed, that Education should focus on character-building, besides bestowing a sense of duty and responsibility towards the society and the country at large.
Of late, over dependence on technology and an unhealthy fascination for a fast life have distanced many people from certain values that we have cherished as a nation. It is sad that this trend is slowly gripping the younger generation, making them unmindful of out their fundamental duties as citizens.
I would not elaborate on this, but would just say that an education that fails to instill a social consciousness and a veneration for the ideals that have shaped our nation, needs to be reviewed.
As a person hailing from judiciary, I would suggest that every school educates our children on their fundamental duties as future citizens so that they grow up with the aim of further strengthening their nation. Let me inform the young students about the Fundamental Duties, as provided under Article 51(A) of the Constitution.
It shall be the duty of every citizen of India –
a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;
f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture’
g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures;
h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
i) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
j) to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement;
k) who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years.
I request all, students in particular, to adhere to these duties as mandated in our Constitution. Let me also remind you that anyone who understands the essence of our Constitution can never resort to violence or divisive thinking.
Let me conclude by reminding you of Swamy Vivekananda's words that Knowledge is nothing but finding unity in the midst of diversity and that a nation must be a union of those hearts that beat to the same spiritual tune.
I wish all you students the courage to ensure a unity of minds in the society you live in.
I compliment the organizers for conducting this inaugural function in a befitting manner and also greet all the teachers and parents and wish them all the best.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
