CHENNAI: The Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan on Tuesday said the greatness of our country should have an overwhelming impact on students. He emphasised that Indian scriptures did not preach hatred and that India had given best philosophies to world.
Delivering his address on the golden jubilee valedictory programme of Dwaraka Doss Goverdhan Doss Vaishnav College (Autonomous) here, he said the Indian scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita, Thirukkural, Thiruvempavai, Thirumandiram, Thevaram and Thiruvasagam all preached that all should love nature, humans, moon, sun and fire. “They do not teach hate. Our forefathers have taught us to love everything,” he said, and cited western philosophers who hailed our scriptures as having enormous power.
“Indian minds have a universal outlook... Love all creatures. This is the Indian mind. When walking out of your college, you should leave with deep respect for our scriptures, philosophies and the Vedas,” he urged the large gathering of students present.
Shanmuganathan further added that education should enrich the lives of students, and equip them to stand on their own feet.
“Character should be formed. Strength of your mind must increase. Your intellect must be sharpened, and as a result each of you can stand on your own feet... Your mind should focus on ethical purity,” he said.
Calling on students to be innovative, he looked forward to a society without inequality and free of caste discrimination. He also lauded the contribution of Gujaratis to the nation.
Earlier, Shanmughanathan inaugurated the SRG Golden Jubilee Theatre and Vaigai Block and released a golden jubilee special edition of the College Magazine ‘VIKAS’.
Speaking on the occasion, P Haridas, college secretary said Gujaratis and Rajasthanis got together to set up the college in 1964.
In his address, the college principal M Venkatramanan said the extension of autonomy to the college was granted by the University Grants Commission from 2014-15 to 2021. The NAAC committee reaccredited the college with ‘A’ grade with a score of 3.57 on a 4.0 scale in 2012-2013, he added.
Govind Das Purushotham Das, chairman, Vallabhacharya Vidya Sabha and H K Jhaver, chairman, Golden Jubilee project also spoke.