Stephen Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (MS)

Kasargod, Apr 29: "Let us not consider Google as our teacher. We have to be recognized at world level by getting the best education," said Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu speaking to the students after inaugurating the new campus of Central University at Periya here on April 29.

Continuing his address Naidu said, "Our nation is going towards a reformation in the field of education. Do not forget the mother tongue no matter how many languages you learn. Mother tongue is like our two eyes. Today we are able to get the education at our fingertips by just searching on Google. This is not right. We have to get a proper education. Good education is available in India. Students from foreign countries are coming to India for higher education. India is a model to other countries in the field of education,"

"The presence of Central University of Kerala in Periya, Kasargod is a blessing for the people of North Malabar. The region requires a thrust in education, health and infrastructure. I am sure that the presence of the Central University of Kerala will not only meet the educational requirements but also contribute towards improving the quality of life in Kasargod in particular and Kerala in general," he added.

"Opening of a new campus today will hopefully open new vistas for the students and the faculty as they continue their quest for academic excellence and ensure that this institution on the Tejaswini Hills spreads its illumination far and wide, transforming the world view and also the world,” he said.

"Education is not only for employment and the purpose of education is to enlighten, empower and develop a holistic individual whose moral compass will never swerve from the righteous path. Education must build character, calibre and capacity and also should promote rightful conduct," he continued,

"Dear students, always remember that you are inheritors of a great culture and heritage with a rich civilization and great history. You should be the torch bearers of our culture, traditions, ethos and customs. There is nothing wrong in adopting and assimilating good practices from elsewhere, but always remain rooted to our age-old culture and heritage. Here, I would like recall the famous words of the Father of the Nation, ‘I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the culture of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any’" he said.

"The university must implement specific teaching and learning strategies and design mechanisms and instruments to improve the quality of education. With diminishing resources and increasing competition, the challenges may seem insurmountable. Nevertheless, the institutions must continue their efforts to foster quality teaching and improve student learning outcomes. The Central university of Kerala has still a long way to go. While on the one side there is a great need to have dedicated teams with focused vision and mission to take the current activities to surmountable heights, on the other hand, we continuously need to be open-minded for reaching new heights," he opined.

The Vice President assured that he will bring to the attention of the central government the need to establish a central medical college at Kasargod. He told that people of Kasargod should get good medical treatment. Now they have to depend on either Mangaluru or hospitals in other districts of the state.

Kadanapalli Ramachandran, minister for ports, P Karunakaran, member of parliament, Dr U Gopala Reddy, member of UGC, Dr M Radhakrishnan, registrar of central university, Nair, member of executive committee of central university were present.

Prof Dr G Gopal Kumar, vice-chancellor of central university welcomed the gathering. Dr K Jayaprasad, secretary of the committee proposed the vote of thanks.