SPEECH OF HON’BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF INAUGURATION OF BHAVAN VIDYALAYA NEW CHANDIGARH CAMPUS ON APRIL 15, 2023 AT 11.00 AM
- PRB
- 2023-04-15 14:30
It gives me great pleasure to be here today at the inauguration of the third and the newest campus of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Chandigarh Kendra- “The Bhavan Vidyalaya, New Chandigarh”.
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was established by Kulapati K.M. Munshi in 1938, with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajaji- Chakravarti Rajagopalachari extended their support to Munshi Ji. The prime objective was to preserve and propagate Indian culture and its values.
From a small beginning, today Bhavan has become a movement that promotes Indian values through education, publication and performing arts. Today it has …….. Kendras in India and ….. Kendras overseas. Infact, it has ….. CBSE schools functioning in the Middle East Asia. All of Bhavan’s schools and colleges have great focus on value education. Bhavan’s large and extended family continues to grow steadfastly, adhering to the Vedic ideal, “let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.”
While helping to promote and preserve the Indian culture and heritage for four decades now, the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chandigarh Kendra has been playing a key role in imparting quality education to young minds.
This organisation has cemented its place among the finest educational institutions in the country by winning several awards, honors and accolades.
The Chandigarh Kendra wanted to give back to the society yet another institution which would be completely aligned to its ethos, culture, curriculum, faculty and processes. And thus, the seeds of an idea sown several years ago, have come to fruition with the establishment of Bhavan Vidyalaya New Chandigarh in 2023.
My congratulations to the entire Management, staff students and parents associated with it.
I take a sense of personal pride and satisfaction in the inauguration of the new campus as I am deeply connected with - Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. Being the Vice President of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Worldwide, and having been the chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Nagpur Kendra, inaugurating the newest member of the Chandigarh Kendra fills me with much happiness.
Friends,
As you are aware, India has been the treasure house of knowledge and the cradle of academic excellence since ancient times. In the Gurukul system, education was given utmost importance and the focus was on imparting knowledge and skills to bring out a holistic development of an individual.
In fact, India was once known as Vishwaguru because of its world class international centres of learning like Takshashila, Pushpagiri and Nalanda. Thousands of students, including many from foreign countries, used to study diverse disciplines at these centres.
Since ancient times, India made numerous contributions to the world of science, mathematics, philosophy, medicine, astronomy, among other disciplines.
I believe, from the core of my heart, that the schools across the State must foster the spirit of curiosity, innovation and excellence in students.
In the technology-driven fast changing world, challenges and opportunities abound. In this context, the best skill that schools can impart a student today is that of adaptability.
Students must be trained to think quickly, be agile and innovate using cutting-edge technologies to solve 21st century problems.
We have to also do away with the artificial segregation between curricular and extracurricular activities and encourage multi-disciplinarily in education.
It is pertinent to mention the National Education Policy here, which has been introduced to make education relevant for the rapidly changing world. In a sense, it has freed education from a strict regimentation into arts/sciences/commerce etc.
The National Education Policy allows students to be more flexible, adaptable and interdisciplinary in nature.
It puts premium on Ethics and human & Constitutional values like empathy, respect for others, cleanliness, courtesy, democratic spirit, spirit of service, respect for public property, scientific temper, liberty, responsibility, pluralism, equality, and justice.
It is indeed true that schooling lays the most important foundation for a student’s academic and professional excellence in later years. But more importantly, the time a child spends in school during his/her formative years shapes their personality and moulds their character. This becomes the biggest determinant in not only the individual’s success at a personal level – but is also the key to build model citizenry that can take the country forward.
Schools must focus on value-based, holistic education that brings out the greatest potential and the highest virtues of each student. Remember, education without values is no education at all.
It is the bane of modern, competitive education that students are often constrained to the four-walls of the classroom in the name of academics. They must experience the world outside – spend time in the lap of nature, interact with all sections of society, and understand various crafts and trades.
Classroom programmes must be ably supplemented with active participation in field activities, social awareness and community service initiatives.
There is a dire need to inculcate the spirit of service in students from a young age.
Late Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru often said (and I quote), "If India is to be a great nation, it must begin in her classrooms” (unquote).
Education is synonymous with life itself. There is need for constant adaptation and re-inventing to be relevant to the modern times.
There is need for constant efforts to upgrade our education system and teaching methodology at both the school and university levels.
Schools should take the lead in meeting the moral challenges of our times and reset our moral compass, ensuring that our civilizational values of love for motherland; performance of duty; compassion for all; tolerance for pluralism; respect for women and elderly; truth and honesty in life; discipline and self-restraint in conduct, and responsibility in action are fully entrenched in the young minds.
Swami Vivekananda believed that education should build character. He once observed, and I quote "Education is not the amount of information that we put into the brain……… We must have life building, man making, character making assimilation of ideas. If you have assimilated five ideas and made them your life and character, you have more education than any man who has got by heart a whole library…….”(unquote).
We must be conscious that the outcome of our education system will be measured not merely by the number of degree holders, but in the large number of informed citizens that we create – enlightened citizens, who respect humanism and instinctively rise above narrow feelings of hatred, regionalism, violence, divisiveness; and contribute gainfully to a better, stronger and vibrant India.
I urge the students in the audience to stride onto paths of life with a positive attitude and strong spirit. Besides education, what will keep you in good stead is strength of character, mind and purpose.
I would also like you to remember that knowledge should be always used in the service of the people and society.
A word for teachers as well! Teachers in schools have extensive knowledge about their subjects and enormous experience in various facets of life. Their skill, learning and experience provide them with the necessary capability to mould the student in a manner that is helpful to him, to his family and to the society.
It is important to remember that a student’s relationship with his or her teacher can influence academic success. The scriptures say, Acharya Devo Bhava, i.e., “Teacher is God”. Another most popular sloka says,
“Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu and Guru is Maheshwara”
This clearly shows that the teacher has a major role in the life of students. Teachers should strive to gain more and more knowledge and distribute to their pupils. Both Teachers and Students must read many books. Book is source of knowledge. Please enhance your knowledge and help in Nation-Building.
Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore used to say that “when I teach anything, I do it with love”. Therefore the secret of the teacher’s profession, the secret of their success, or the respect they earn in life is their approach to teaching through love.
There is one other thought that I want to share with you. You all must have heard of the Agnipath scheme.
The first batch of Agniveers of the three services, is ready to serve the Nation.
This scheme is expected to be a game changer in strengthening our Armed Forces and making them future ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
The current generation of youth has the potential. So, let the entire Bhavans family, take it upon themselves to motivate young minds to serve the Motherland.
These days women are leading armed forces on various fronts, woman soldiers are posted in Siachen and women are driving modern fighter planes. Women Agniveers are adding pride to the Naval forces, and I look forward to seeing women Agniveers in all three forces.
We all know that we have attained freedom after a long struggle and by making innumerable sacrifices. Now, let us play our role and maintain the unity and integrity of the country and serve our motherland.
I once again congratulate all the stakeholders of Bhavan Vidyalaya New Chandigarh for a propitious start, and wish the school Godspeed and spectacular success in all its future endeavours!
Thank you,
Jai Hind.