Mysuru: “Education has sadly turned into commercial activity. For most mushrooming institutions, it is money spinning business”, said Margaret Alva, former Governor of Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Goa and Gujarat while delivering the second annual convocation address at St. Philomena’s College on Monday, October 24.
Addressing the gathering at the college auditorium here she said, “With donations to the sale of seats, ill equipped laboratories to unqualified teachers, they increase and multiply with dubious credentials and political patronage. It is any wonder that the intellectual content and capacity of our institutions of learning, to contribute to the development of nation, is called into question year after year. We have boards, committees, reviews, reports and policies, but what is the impact of it all? Where is the commitment to improve? The Indian brain is unmatched, Indian students are intelligent and hard working. But the support systems to create the profile of self-confident, self-sacrificing and self-motivated citizens are lacking”.
“As you begin a long and arduous journey that will bring you face to face with the realities of a complex and turbulent environment that is totally different from the cozy and secure life that you have been used to, you must have the strength and determination to succeed, You must resolve to grow intellectually, morally, spiritually and professionally in every day of your life. Classrooms, text books and teachers become a thing of the past, what stays is the strengths you have built of character, courage, compassion and commitment. Students must be exposed to the reality of the social factors that influence and mould their lives. Clamping down on student activities in the name of discipline, charging them with sedition and patriotic fervor does not make for free open society”, Margaret Alva said while addressing the graduates.
On the occasion, 336 undergraduate and 79 post graduate students passed out. KS Rangappa, the Vice Chancellor of University of Mysuru and Rev. Fr. Leslie Moras the Rector of St Philomenas College were also present.
