SPEECH OF HON’BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE MOTHER AUDITORIUM AT SRI AUROBINDO COLLEGE OF COMMERCE AND MANAGEMENT AT LUDHIANA ON NOVEMBER 9, 2022 AT 4.00 PM

It elates me to be in the campus of Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management, which has been set-up in the name of the great seer and sage, Sri Aurobindo Ghosh.

Sri Aurobindo believed in the philosophy of integral education, and I hope this institution is striving to imbibe and inculcate this philosophy to impart education to the young minds.

I am pleased to know that this institution is being run by the Governing Body of intellectuals, business magnates andindustrial aces including Padma Bhushan Sh. S.P. Oswal, Chairman, Vardhman group of companies.

Under the guidance of all of you, this institution has proved its mettle not only in the field of education but also in the spectra of co-curricular, extra-curricular, sports and multi-directional arenas of culture and heritage.

Dear students,

You are fortunate to be associated with this great seat of learning. Now it is your turn to rise equal to the big name and philosophy of the Mahan Yogi and Philosopher Sri Aurobindo Ghosh .

Diligence, determination, consistency and steadfastness are the unfailing path to success in life. It is my firm faith that one should not be guided just by matter and worldliness.

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 deserve to be a part & parcel of our life.

As you know Bharatvarsh is the land known to be the karam bhoomi of yogis and tapasavis; so you must always bear in mind that your work and conduct be tethered around the moral and ethical values of truthfulness, selfless hard work, undaunted attachment for your nation and the faith in loyal and persistent service of humankind.

Dear young boys and girls,

Along with your studies, you must take into consideration the great history and heritage of your motherland. It is as lofty as Himalayas, as deep as Ganga, as beautiful as Ajanta & Ellora and as vast as Brahmaputra.

My dear learners,

Remember that it is always “better to travel hopefully than to arrive” because the best is yet to be. True education should not aim at mere earning of degrees, it should rather aim at making you better human beings who become an asset and a real resource for the regeneration and rejuvenation of great ideas and ideals.

The proud history of mankind has been scripted by the journey of great minds. Let you, I and everyone be shareholders of this great ongoing journey.

I know that in a short span of time, your college has made salient strides. The purpose of shrines of learning is to mould cultures and civilizations which may be great chapters for the progenies to come. Tomorrow beckons us. Let us all be heroes in this enviable march of history.

The Mother Auditorium of this college has a history behind it. It reminds me of the pioneering work done by Maharishi Arvind and the Mother Mirra Alfassa for the humanitarian cause of the democracy of the mind and the soul . This event is very well timed as our nation is observing 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo. Let us tow the path lived by the nation's great philosopher, in fullness.

On this momentous occasion of the inauguration of this state of the art Auditorium, I greet and felicitate the Governing Body, the Principal, the staff and the students, and pray that all of you may take more exemplary strides in the arena of education, particularly the holistic education .

I make an appeal to all the educators working under the mentorship of the Governing Body of this college and the Principal to leave no stone unturned to further script and scribe the history of this institution in the best interest of the Nation.

Young friends,

The Nation is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, 75 years of India’s Independence. But, 25 years from now in the Amrit Kaal when we will be celebrating the 100 years of our Independence, the role of all of you will be very important. You will be the leaders and the entrepreneurs, who will be running the state-of-affairs. Education is a powerful tool for social transformation. Use this tool with compassion and concern for the under privileged in society. Become agents of change, who transform India and lead her to a better future .

Once again, I extend my best wishes to all the stake holders to build an enthusiastic educational saga for the generations of learners to follow.

Thank you,

Jai Hind.