An excited gathering of students assembled to listen to former President A P J Abdul Kalam when he took the stage at the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Narendrapur on Saturday.
Replying to a question on which role of life he has enjoyed the most, Kalam said being a teacher had been his dream and he became President to market his dream of developing India by 2020.
Given the occasion was the golden jubilee of the school and the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the former President quoted Vivekananda several times during the interaction.
Kalam asked the students to acquire knowledge, inculcate creativity, be righteous and courageous and have an indomitable spirit.
Kalam also faced difficult questions from the students, whom he described as responsive and intelligent. “What does ‘Buddha smiles’ mean and how can nuclear arms bring peace?” asked a student. Kalam replied: “Peace smiles and when all countries around us have nuclear weapons it is better to acquire them, as strength respects strength.”
The former President smiled when none of the students present raised their hands when asked how many of them wanted to be a politician. Later, replying to a question on why Presidents and Prime Ministers are old, Kalam said if the youth is not involved in developmental politics, how could they expect young people to lead the country? Kalam had answers for every question — from campus violence to his happiest and saddest moments in life. The former President asked the students to “navigate their time properly”. He chanted the four-fold mantra of success, saying it involved goal setting, acquiring knowledge, hard work and perseverance.
He also felicitated the heads of 10 schools, which are celebrating their centenaries, and released a special cover to mark the golden jubilee celebrations.
[Source: Express India]
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Monday, January 14, 2008
Dr Kalam addresses students at Narendrapur
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Welfare works by RK Mission: A report
The annual general meeting of the Ramakrishna Mission was held recently. During the year under review the mission started a new centre in the State capital Bhopal as also a new sub-centre in Belgaum in Karnataka.
In medical field, the Itanagar centre launched a mobile eye care facility; a medical centre commenced at the Jammu ashram. Likewise the Karmarpukur centre in West Bengal is carrying out a national HIV/AIDS control programme in collaboration with German Leprosy Relief Association.
In the educational field, the following new projects deserve special mention- starting of post-graduate courses and programmes by Vivekananda University at its faculty centres at Narendrapur Swami Vivekananda's ancestral house and Ranchi (Morabad), post-graduate courses in mathematics and Sanskrit at Vidyamandira college of Saradapitha centre in Belur, a number of educational programmes by the Coimbatore centre viz IT academy, online education programme etc and 11-pre primary education centres by Lokasiksha Parishad of Narendrapur centre.
During the year, the Math and Mission undertook extensive relief and rehabilitation programmes in several parts of the country involving an expenditure of Rs 3.87 crore, benefiting 5.67 lakh people belonging to 1.30 lakh families of 2027 villages.
Welfare work was done by way of providing scholarships to poor students, pecuniary help to old, sick and destitute people, etc; the expenditure incurred was Rs 6.25 crore.
Medical service was rendered to more than 85.32 lakh people through 15 hospitals and 173 dispensaries including mobile medical units, the expenditure incurred was Rs 61.55 crore.
Nearly 3.39 lakh students were studying in the Mission's educational institutions from kindergarten to post-graduate level. A sum of Rs 111.60 crore was spent on educational works.
A number of rural and tribal development projects were undertaken with a total expenditure of Rs 18.62 crore.
In rural development field, the following new projects deserve special mention; starting of a rural sanitation project by Itanagar centre, Jammu & Kashmir Earthquake Rehabilitation Programme by starting tailoring centres near LoC area by the Jammu centre, a number of projects related to fruits plantation, spices cultivation, seed production, harnessing spring water for irrigation, residential bridge courses for drop-out village girls etc by Ranchi (Morabadi) centre and a number of socio-economic rehabilitation projects related to vocational training programme for skill development, lac cultivation, dissemination of renewable energy, artificial insemination and animal health care etc by Lokasiksha Parishad of Narendrapur ashram in Kolkata, according to the press release issued by Mission Gen Secy, Swami Prabhananda.
[News Source: Central Chronicle]
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
The sacrilege...
It seems the management of Vidyalaya is awash with funds these days. So much so that they had to return the development fund to the central authority for being unable to spend it!!! that strikes me hard. no expenditure on development? There's also report of full-blown mismanagement regarding the upcoming Golden Jubilee celebration. It may do a little good to the cause by toning down the discorded symphony—that is, how it's at the moment—lest the overdose spoils everything. A faction of the management (specific names withheld) is firing all the salvo, albeit at wrong targets; and hitherto showing zero accountability over their agenda.
Dear authority (if you're listening), WE, the alumni, are always strongly attached to our belief in serving the institution at its behest, but let's not forget that the money comes a hard way for everyone; and it's not too much to ask for a transparency in the system. The last thing we expect from YOU is this autocratic attitude.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Research campus for math
An institute for higher study and research in pure mathematics, theoretical and mathematical physics, and theoretical computer science will soon be set up in Belur.
School of Mathematical Sciences, to be set up by Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, will make its debut in 2008 with an integrated M.Sc-Ph.D course in pure mathematics. The following year, a similar course will be launched in physics. Integrated courses from B.Sc through Ph.D in all three subjects will be introduced later.
Researchers from reputed institutes across the world, including Nobel laureates, will be invited to deliver lectures at the school.
The plan for the school was announced by Moolchand Sharma, the UGC vice-chairman, at a programme to mark the second anniversary of the university at RK Mission Residential College, Narendrapur, on Wednesday.
“The teaching-learning system at the school will be different from other universities. Our main focus will be on grooming students to develop an inclination in research,” said Swami Atmapriyananda, the vice-chancellor.
“Once a student completes graduation, it becomes difficult to motivate him/her to pursue research. So, the remedy is to set up institutes, like our proposed school, which can provide the grooming from the undergraduate level,” he added.
The university has sought Rs 59.26 crore from the UGC to set up the school and another institute, School of Indian Heritage. “The UGC is examining the proposal. We will provide all necessary help to the university to set up the two schools,” said Sharma.
The university has bought a 7.5-acre plot in Belur for Rs 14 crore to set up the institutes.
Swami Smaranananda, the vice-president of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, and Swami Prabhananda, the general secretary of the order and chancellor of the university, were present at the programme. Also present was Swami Asaktananda, the secretary of RK Mission Residential College, Narendrapur. [but where was gobaa??? :)]
[News and Photo source: Telegraph]
