The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has called for revisiting education system with emphasis on history, heritage, culture, traditions, values and ethos of India. He said that the stories of sacrifice, valour and contributions made by the freedom fighters and other leaders should become an important component of our education system.Addressing the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Pannalal Girdharlal Dayanand Anglo-Vedic College, in here today, the Vice President said that educational institutions must become temples of learning and wisdom. They should become sanctuaries of peace and harmony, growth and development, he added.Shri Naidu said that emphasized that the atmosphere in university campuses should not be vitiated by conducting events which are not connected with education. He said that character-building should become the essential dharma of education.The Vice President said that said that serving in organizations like the Scouts and Guides or NCC should be made mandatory for students to inculcate discipline and a sense of empathy to serve the needy.Shri Naidu said that education must focus on developing a holistic personality of the individual.
Apart from learning and acquiring knowledge, students must also learn to practice yoga and participate in sporting activities as it was essential to develop a sense of equilibrium in the stress- filled world of today. He called upon educational institutions to impart spiritual values as well, he added.The Vice President urged students to arm themselves with knowledge, wisdom and ethical principles before they head out into the world. He also asked them to explore the possibilities of providing creative solutions to problems like climate change faced by the nation and the world.Terming as worrisome trend, the growing incidence of lifestyle diseases due to consumption of unhealthy food, sedentary habits and stress, the Vice President called upon the people, particularly youngsters to develop healthy dietary habits and take up regular physical activity.The Vice President cautioned the youth against addiction to internet and said that constant connectivity was proving to be detrimental to children. He asked parents and teachers to protect children from the pitfalls of technology and internet.Students, faculty of the Pannalal Girdharlal Dayanand Anglo-Vedic College, the Former Governor of Karnataka, and the Chairman of the Governing Body, PGDAV College, Shri T.N. Chaturvedi, the Vice Chancellor of University of Delhi, Prof. Yogesh Tyagi and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.Following is the text of Vice President’s address: