Bharath University – 28th Convocation
06.03.2016
Presidential Speech By
Padmasri Dr.Avvai Natarajan
The honour and privilege of conferring Doctor of Letters to the distinguished Captains is a great honour. I have been connected with Bharat University from its inception till date. I have had the privilege of being closely associated with this university founder and Philanthropist Dr.Jagat Ratchagan.
The interest that he evinced, the devotion and zeal with which he nurtured the infant institution in the earlier period of its existence and the loving care with which he looked after the development of progress in many fields of activity, will be obvious to any visitor when he goes round the campus and sees the progress made in all branches of learning.
It is to us a matter of great gratification that in his worthy successors, Dr.Nisha Elamaran, Mr Elamaran, Dr.Sandeep Anand and Dr.Swetha Sundeep Anand are all equally devoted to the welfare and progress of this University, whose chief aim is to make this Bharath University a model of its kind in India, whose portals would continue to attract men and women of intellectual eminence and academic integrity from all parts of this country and abroad.
Erudite Vice Chancellor Dr.Ponnavaikko and Respected Registrar former Dean of Madras Medical College, Dr.Kanagasabai, and distinguished dignitaries.
Ladies and gentlemen and budding doctors who are the proud alumni of this noteworthy Sree Balaji Medical College.
I have pleasure of announcing that Bharath University has attained the zenith status of Center of Excellence by NAAC recently.
Well, this University is aptly named as Bharat University to attract every state student in this great school of learning of excellence.
It is worthy to note that within the 32 years period this university has had the good fortune of having its destinies guided by men of eminence who have with distinction filled the chair of Vice-Chancellors, Deans, Directors and Professors, Official members whom have earned name and fame far beyond our country.
Distinguished guests I am privileged to honour you all with high Merit of Award D.Sc. and when I had visited a famous college at Oxford, the Motto read :
They say
What say they?
Let them say !
That means we will neither be unduly perturbed by criticism, nor elated by praise and while eager to consider every form of advise and give careful consideration to the views all concerned arrive at right decision after mature deliberation.
How nice to see this meaning, but today India’s prestigious Jawaharlal University at Delhi is not prepared for this statement and getting into imbroglio is a shame.
Today the atmosphere in our schools and colleges is far from congenial for quiet study, and proper training.
The heat and passion of the outer world is not infrequently imported into the institutions and outside influences have not altogether been as helpful as one would expect or desire them to be for the proper development of the student’s career or the fulfillment of the objectives of the student’s career or the fulfillment of the objectives of educational institutions.
May I, in this connection venture to express my personal conviction
that the success of the teaching will depend on the extent to which
the teacher keeps himself aloof from all controversial political
issues.
I hold that during the active practice of two of the noblest
professions, Teaching and Medicine, no one who is true devotee of
either can afford to get entangled in acute controversial politics of
the day.
This does not mean and should not be interpreted as a desire
to see that the teacher or the student should be secluded from the
reverberations of society or the country and should lead a cloistered
life.
The student should not be kept in ignorance and suddenly
thrown into an inhospitable world and asked to face the acute problems
of life.
A free and frank discussion of current problems, of political and
social ideologies, of men and matters carried in a spirit of mutual
tolerance and in an atmosphere of academic freedom, guided and
encouraged by the teacher is not only welcome but is desirable and
necessary.
But the present tendency for the formation of groups and
associations based on political, communal, or religious differences
outside and the encouragement of party loyalties in educational
institutions by teachers of political parties spell danger and
disaster of such magnitude, that we shall be failing in our duty if we
do not issue a note of stern warning to all and more particularly to
political parties in this country.
Whatever be their justification in other countries more
homogeneously situated and with established traditions, India today
cannot afford to allow anyone to sow the seeds of dissension in her
educational institutions and to let the youth of the nation be divided
into hostile camps at an age and a state when the greatest amount of
unity, harmony and good will should prevail.
And if this catastrophe should be avoided, the teacher who is and
should be the friend, philosopher and guide of the students, should
not only be above all political parties, but should, like Caesar’s
wife, be above all suspicion of partisan leanings.
If we cannot all succeed in our endeavour and free ourselves
completely from such active partisanship, let us at least keep the
ideal before us and strive towards that objective.
We need Doctors for healing this malady inside and outside of the humanity.
Perhaps Dr.Ambedkar had a premonition of the lurking dangers. In his concluding speech in the Constituent Assembly in 1949, he cautioned fellow citizens about the pitfalls and offered a three-point corrective that remains relevant in the environs of the University also .
1)Hold fast to constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives.
2)Not to lay their liberties at the feet of even a great man, or to trust him with power which enable him to subvert their institutions and.
3)Make our political democracy a social democracy as well.
I have great pleasure in finding in our midst Dr.Sowmiya Swaminathan, the Super Star in the field of Medical Education and research who is now Director General of ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and Secretary DHR (Department of Health Research) New Delhi will be giving the erudite convocation address
This is a memorable occasion where stalwarts and captains are awarded D.Sc., D.Litt., and D.D., of course this is one of the feathers in the fantastic crown of their glory and greatness.
Dr.Seshaiah,
Dr.Sivathanu Pillai,
Prof.Jayakar Thomas,
Dr.S.Nambi,
Dr.Mikki Chetti from South Africa,
Dr.Sathiyavel Murugan, the engineer philosopher.
As we are all lovers of Tamil language, literature and culture. I would like to add few more words.
As we are all lovers of Tamil language, literature and culture.
I would like to add few more words.
The glory of Tamil depends upon the prosperity of Tamil people. Just like “The length of a flower stalk depends on the depths of Water” the growth of Tamil depends on the prosperity of Tamil people.
Just as we cite Thirukkural as an example for the potentiality, vigour, and prosperity of the Tamil language, the world should cite Tiruvalluvar as an example for the truth, effort, knowledge, love and heroism of the Tamil people, for which we should live a life based on Thirukkural.
We praise the glory of Thirukkural and propagate its fame in various ways. But we should not stop with that.
“We should act according to the principles which are glorified and appreciated.” This is the unique philosophy of Valluvarism.
Thirukkural warns us thus. “Those who ridicule and neglect action will not prosper even if they take seven successive births.” So the goal of action for all is the mind of Valluvar.
This mind of action is the soul of my message and my explication, only its external manifestation.
“I will learn. Kural, will stick to it, we learn how to stick to it, and will live a life according to it.”
This shall be the motto of young graduates and budding medicoes.
I conclude with Tagore’s talismanic thought that
‘’the highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.’’
I wish you all great success in all your endeavours.
Add a Comment