What we need in India today are good human beings with academic brilliance and scientific temper, opined Swami Bodhsaranandaji, an assistant general secretary of Ramakrishna Math and Mission.
Addressing a gathering in connection with the 66th annual exhibition and celebration at Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya in Narendrapur on Thursday, Swami Bodhsaranandaji said the country can make progress only if the people are educated. “Different state governments have been requesting the Ramakrishna Mission for its assistance because it provides the best education to the students, which is value-based. We follow Swami Vivekananda’s man-making character-building education.”
Revered Maharaj, who has travelled extensively in the country and abroad, said, “The students who have passed out from the RKM educational institutions across the country are a real asset to society. They have made us proud. Even in foreign countries, they have left a deep mark on their society with their intellect and hard work.”
He added, “Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs did not follow the path of formal education, but by their sheer hard work and talent, they had reached the top. Work seriously, study hard, and you will reach the top.” At the event, Maharaj gave away prizes to the students who did well in the board examinations as well as school exams.
Prof. Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay, the former director of the Indian Statistical Institute, a Padmashree and a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee, who is well known for her pioneering work in computational biology, was the guest of honour. In her words, “India has so far catered to the service sector, but now the time has come when we should concentrate more on the knowledge sector.” According to her, Indian students who study abroad are very hard working and have a sound academic base, but in problem solving, they initially falter, but because of their brilliance, they pick up fast. She pointed out that Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be used judiciously, “We cannot avoid AI. It is helping the academic world, but it should be used rationally. One should be aware of how to use it for our benefit.”
Swami Shastragyanandaji, secretary of Narendrapur Ramakrishna Mission, recalled the vision of Swami Lokeswaranandaji, who had dreamt of Narendrapur and executed it. He said the students who pass out from this institution are an asset to society.
Swami Ishteshanandaji, headmaster of Narendrapur school, read out the annual report. The school has bagged the best school award from the State School Education department.
The annual exhibition of the school is a real marvel. The students make plans for the exhibition and are assisted by the teachers. It is a must-visit for everyone to see what the young generation can do. The students of class VII, under the title Nature Study, made charts to create environmental awareness. They used Rabindranath Tagore’s Sahaj Path to create this awareness. The book will be celebrating its centenary four years later. The students explained how Tagore, who was deeply involved in the preservation of the environment, had written simple poems for children so that they could become aware of the surrounding nature.
The Little Scientists’ section was highly interesting, with the students of class VI who made models that were user-friendly. They made models to show how kitchens can become carbon free and how big earth movers can be made to work by using water power.
The students explained Indian tradition and culture in Sanskrit and Hindi. The four-day exhibition came to a close on Thursday.
Swami Lokeswaranandaji had set up Narendrapur RKM six decades ago. The students were given prizes not only for their academic brilliance but also for co-curricular activities. There were prizes for elocution, storytelling and cracking jokes. The students who had used the school library the most were also rewarded. Narendrapur has become a name in the academic world across the country. Many of the research scholars associated with the famous academic institutions of the country are alumni of RKM schools and colleges.