Mother tongue is like eyesight and other languages are just spectacles. If you don’t have the eyesight, you cannot improve even if you wear glasses. Learn as many languages as you can but never forget your mother tongue, said Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu at the decadal celebrations of the Sai International School here on Monday.
Starting his speech wishing the people of Odisha on the Utkal Divas in Odia, Naidu urged to promote their mother tongue, which was one of the five ‘Guru Mantras’ he gave the students.
He also told the students to call their mother ‘Maa’ instead of ‘Mummy’ as Maa comes from within and Mummy comes from lips.
The mantras given by Naidu to students for a successful life were respecting parents, never forgetting the native place, promoting and propagating the mother tongue, remembering motherland irrespective of caste, creed and religion and, lastly, remembering the ‘Guru’, which can’t be replaced with the Google.
“While imparting knowledge and keeping abreast with the latest methods of pedagogy, schools must acquaint the students about the importance of our ancient civilisation, culture, traditions, heritage and history without losing our ethical moorings was necessary to regain India’s position as Vishwa Guru,” he said.
Naidu also stressed upon the need to inculcate a sense of volunteerism among young students. He also advised the students to join organisations like NCC, NSS and Scouts and Guides to learn life skills and volunteerism which would help them to know about the local issues and finding innovative solutions of the issues for the community and rural development.
He said that even after Independence, importance has not been given to our culture, history and rewrite the Indian history books as per actual happenings of the country. Time has come that the Central and the State Governments as well as all stakeholders, who decide the school curriculum, should pay attention on the vital aspect.
Saying that schools play the most crucial and foundational role in shaping the destinies of a nation, the Vice President said that schooling must lay emphasis on the overall development of the child without focusing solely on academic achievements.
Naidu advised schools to discard rote method of learning and promote innovative and creative thinking.
He said that students must be encouraged to develop an inquisitive and questioning mind ever eager to learn new things and come out with bright ideas.
Laying importance on the health aspect, the Vice president has cautioned the students against the ill effects of junk food and for opting right kind of lifestyle and said that “Fast food or instant food is constant disease.”
Naidu said sports provide a promising career opportunity to youths as it not only trains your mind and body but also inculcates the spirit of teamwork and leadership.
Along with studies, students must also pursue and excel in sports.
Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal and school chairman Dr Bijaya Kumar Sahoo also spoke. Four exceptional achievers of the 2018-19 academic session were awarded by the guests.