Shri Hibi Eden, Member of Parliament,
Shri. S. Sarma, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Janab. Rasheed Ali Shihab Thangal, FormerChairman, Kerala State Waqf Board,
Shri. K.U. Jeevanmithra, President, Edavanakad GramaPanchayat
Adv. K.I. Abdul Rasheed, Former Additional Director General of Prosecution
Shri N.K. Muhammed Ayub, School Manager,
Shri P.K. Abdul Razak, General Convenor,
Shri. K.A. Sajith, President, Parent Teachers Association,
Dear Students, Teachers, Sisters and Brothers,
Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram.
It gives me great joy to inaugurate the Centenary celebrations of Hidayathul Islam Higher Secondary School, Edavanakkad, which has contributed significantly to the educational and social uplift of this locality during the last one hundred years.
Let me at the outset, congratulate the Irshadul Muslimeen Sabhawhich manages the school, the staff and the students on the progress achieved by this institution over the years. I also salute the dedication of the teachers whose intellectual support has enriched this institution during the last ten decades.
This is my first visit to Vypeen, which is known to be the most densely populated place in Asia.
I have heard that in olden days, people of Vypeen and adjacent localities had to cross the laketo reach Kochi for availing any service including health and higher education. The ferry was their only link to the world outside. Yet, thanks to hard work, many people from these localities had established a strong intellectual and social link with the larger world, much before the Goshree bridge were built.
I had wondered what must have inspired the people of this locality to aim for greater social and intellectual development. And I realized that it must have been the presence of reformers like Sahodaran Ayyappan, renowned social reformer, who was born here. Another name that
I recall is that of Dr. V.A. Seyid Mohammed, former Parliamentarian and Law Minister who hailed from Edavanakkad village. Other than him, there have been many people from in and around Vypeen who have contributed greatly in their role as scientists, historians, artists, social workers etc.
I am sure that Hidayathul Islam Higher Secondary School has played a significant role in the moulding of such illustrious figures, since it has been imparting the benediction of education to all sections, especially to the children of farming and fishing community of Vypeen.
At this moment of glory, we must recall the services of the Late Makkar Kochunni Haji, who started this institution as a lower primary school and his brother the Late Makkar Moideen, who contributed the land for this school in 1920. The later stages of the development of this institution are too well known to be recounted here.
However, a word about the cosmopolitan outlook of this school, right from its beginning, deserves mention on this occasion. This outlook has amply reflected in the character of Vypeen and nearby localities, which are known for high levels of social awareness and communal amity.
In fact, such an outlook should be the hall mark of any school, especially one which enjoys the status of a minority institution. Our Education must be broad enough to ensure that a student becomes not simply an adornment to religion, a mosque, temple or church, but shines equally in the secular domain as a person of truthful intent and upright character.
It does not mean that we keep religious education fully divorced from modern education. A suitable mix of general and religious education would help students to develop the correct perspective to participate in modern day affairs.
Education is not preparation for life; in fact, it is life itself. It is not merely the teaching of subjects, but the cultivation of total responsibility in a student. It is said that the school is where one acquires both the knowledge required for daily life as well as the art of right living.
At the same time, some of the people who made history had never been the products of any formal school or academy. Their education was mainly from society, which gave them valuable lessons on democracy, social justice and moral values. I would therefore, stress that education should enable students to keep their eyes and ears open to the pulse of the society and to learn valuable truths from it.
For this, every school must encourage social interactions for students, so that they would think of improving the lives of people around them when they grow up. I am glad that Hidayathul Islam higher Secondary School provides students ample opportunities to participate in movements like Scouts and Guides, Student Police Cadet, National Service Scheme etc.
We live in a knowledge-driven society, and our future depends on our ability to rise to the demands of the new environment, which emphasizes the need for both knowledge and employability skills. Today, Education is considered incomplete without adequate training in the 21st century skills. This is an area where schools have to devote considerable attention.
I am informed that the people of Edavanakkad intend to join in the Centenary celebration of this school by organizing several educational, social and cultural activities. This involvement and interest of the general society is certainly very encouraging. I hope the school would benefit from this cooperation in future. A school which gets the attention of society can certainly improve its performance.
I compliment the Hidayathul Islam Higher Secondary School authorities for organizing the inauguration of the Centenary celebrations in a befitting manner.
Let me conclude with a word to the students and alumni of this school.
വിദ്യാധനം സര്വധനാല് പ്രധാനം [Education is the greatest asset]
വിദ്യാലയം നമ്മുടെ ദേവാലയമാണ് [School is our temple of worship]
ഈ ദേവാലയത്തിന്റെ ഉന്നതി നമ്മുടെ ലക്ഷ്യം [Progress of this temple is our aim]
നിങ്ങള്ക്ക് എല്ലാ ആശംസകളും നേരുന്നു. [I wish you all the best]
लोका: समस्ता: सुखिनो भवन्तु ।
वलरे नन्नि
जय हिन्द ।
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