Purpose of education should be to hone productive citizens: Assam Governor

GUWAHATI, Sept 21: State’s Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi advocated that the main purpose of education should be to produce good and productive citizens. He said that a civilized society is one where good people become good citizens. In a civilized society, each generation is expected to make the society better for the next generation. Educational institutions should embrace the responsibility of nurturing good citizens for the overall benefit of the humanity.

Speaking at the diamond jubilee celebrations of Arya Vidyapeeth College here on Friday, Mukhi said that the colleges like Arya Vidyapeeth needs to bear the responsibility of guiding its students through some of their most formative years and sends them up to nationally and internationally recognized higher educational institutions and perform social responsibility. He further said that education without social commitment is no education at all. If it cannot make a difference to the lives of those who are in need, it cannot be of much value to the society, the Governor retorted.

The Governor also said that there must be intrinsic relationship between education and the needs of the society. He, however, stated that the present Indian system of education is moving away from the rich Indian heritage of the Vedas and the Upanishads. In ancient India, Nalanda and Takshshila were centres of global learning which attracted thousands of students from India and abroad. The curriculum which ranged from astronomy and mathematics to ethics in these ancient universities still remains a standard for emulation and inspiration. He therefore, reiterated that if more research could be undertaken to unravel the timeless tradition of the ancient Indian heritage, it would surely contribute to furthering knowledge of our rich, cultural past. Mukhi also called upon the students to revive the past glorious cultural heritage of the country.

The Governor also conveyed his tributes to late Giridhar Sarma, a visionary and renowned academician and luminaries like late Mahendra Mohan Choudhury, late Radha Kanta Das, late Sarat Chandra Goswami who were instrumental in establishing Arya Vidyapeeth college.

He also hailed the role of Arya Vidyapeeth College for playing a key role in academic uplift of disadvantaged students of the region. The noteworthy vision of its founders, determination of its successive managements, commitment and patience of its teaching staff and the quality of its students, have made Arya Vidyapeeth College what it is today, the Governor professed.

The Governor also acknowledged the role of Arya Vidyapeeth College which has adopted Garbhanga village and its Lower Primary School located in the outskirts of Guwahati. This initiative has brought positive change in the targeted locality, the Governor added. He at the same time congratulated the larger fraternity of Arya Vidyapeeth College on achieving the momentous feat of completing 60 years of eventful journey and spreading the lights of knowledge all around.

Vice-Chancellor of Gauhati University Mridul Hazarika, Principal of Arya Vidyapeeth College Dr Pradip Kr Bhattacharya, and Governing body President Dr Girish Ch Sarma along with a host of other dignitaries and students were also present in the function, a raj Bhavan communiqué said.