SPEECH OF HON’BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS CEREMONY OF GEMS CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HOSHIARPUR ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

· I am very happy to be amidst you on the occasion of Scholarship Distribution Ceremony.

· Scholarships around Rs. Thirty one lakh will be given to some 31 meritorious students who have brought laurels to their family and school.

· Such reward and acknowledgement must have acted as a catalyst to students in the past and I am sure it will act as a great motivation to others to achieve such feats in future, besides helping them pursuing higher studies of their choice.

· I sincerely appreciate this initiative of Vasal Educational Group.

· I have been apprised that Vasal educational group was established in 2004 and came up with its first school in Dasuya . The group now has in total 6 schools with 8,500 students and 400 plus teachers.

· This reminds me of the renowned Tamil poet, Bharathiyaar, who wrote that “it is more virtuous to educate a child than to build a thousand temples or set up thousands of feeding centres”.

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.

  • It is my fervent appeal to the schools across the State to 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 must have an educational strategy aligned to this futuristic approach and shun rote learning.

· We have to also do away with the artificial segregation between curricular and extracurricular activities and encourage multi-disciplinarity in education.

  • It is pertinent to mention the New Education Policy here, which has been introduced to make education relevant for the rapidly changing world. In a sense, the New Education Policy has freed education from a strict regimentation into arts/sciences/commerce etc.

· The New 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 from each student. Remember, education without values is no education at all.

· In the effort for an all-round growth of students, academic institutions must strive to provide the required facilities and encourage students to take up regular physical activity.

· Students must enthusiastically take up sports or any form of exercise which appeals to them and build a healthy lifestyle.

· 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, " If India is to be a great nation, it must begin in her classrooms.

· There is also a saying "The Battle of Waterloo was won in the playing fields of Eton ”. India’s tomorrows are shaped in the crucibles of great schools, in their classrooms, games fields as well as co-curricular activities.

· It is also through such activities where children are given space in freedom, and challenged to develop their talents, skills, attitudes and values that true education happens.

· It is also very important that compassion and concern for the under privileged in society is inculcated in our children at an early age so that they can become agents of change, who transform India and lead her to a better future.

Friends,

  • 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.

· India enacted the Right to Education Act that seeks to ensure that every child up to 14 years attends school. But mere attendance in school is not enough.

· The education imparted must be of quality and teachers well trained. The system should enable the nurturing of children who are not just good at academics but also rooted in our civilizational values and filled with energy and drive to serve society.

  • Education is a powerful tool for social transformation .

· 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, "Education is not the amount of information that we put into the brain……… We must have life building, man making, character making and 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…….”.

· 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 training and education, what will keep you in good stead is strength of character, mind and purpose.

· Mahatma Gandhi spoke about seven sins that we should beware of. These seven sins are:

§ Wealth without work

§ Pleasure without conscience,

§ Knowledge without character,

§ Commerce without morality,

§ Science without humanity,

§ Religion without sacrifice and

§ Politics without principle.

· 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. In 1956, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru wrote to the Chief Ministers of India and it is worth quoting him today. He said, Let us remember that the school is essentially the teacher, not the building.

· I believe that the role of the teacher is like the proverbial “ladder” – it is used by everyone to climb up in life – but the ladder stays in its place .

  • Or as Nikos Kazant-Zakis, the Green writer and philosopher, had said and I quote: “True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own” (unquote).

My dear teachers and students,

· I am happy to share my views with you. I wish you all the best in all your ventures.

· I also wish Vasal Educational Group to come out with flying colours. You have a very noble motto: “Every Child, Every Chance, Every day”. Adhere to it and stay focussed on creating a nurturing environment that supports love for learning.

Thank you,

Jai Hind.