Empower the students with Knowledge and Value Systems

Knowledge makes you Great

By Abdul Kalam

(February 10, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) I am delighted to participate in the inauguration of Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Rajeswari Vidyaniketan, Hulkoti. My greetings to all the members assembled here. During the last 25 years, Rajeswari Vidyaniketan has been engaged in empowering rural children with value based quality education.

I congratulate all the pioneers who have contributed in initiating and bringing this school to the present level. With the growth in educational needs of this region, I would suggest creation of plus two programmes in this school. When I am in the midst of Students, I would like to talk on the topic “Empower the students with Knowledge and Value Systems”. Let me first discuss with you about the importance of Knowledge to our youth.

My experience in Greece

Friends, let me share with you a beautiful experience when I visited Greece in April 2007. I was negotiating and climbing towards Acropolis mountain top in Athens and came across a group of 150 Greek students. They threw a spontaneous smile on me; the teachers came forward and introduced the students. They said, they were very happy to see the Indian president and that the children would like to hear from him few words. My mind at that time was thinking about the great personalities, the land of Greece had given to the world: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The words of Plato were ringing in my mind when I saw the young students. Plato brings out that “Our aim in founding the State was not the disproportionate happiness of any one class, but the greatest happiness of the whole”, 2400 years ago.

Similarly, around the same period Tamil poet Saint Thiruvalluvar said,

"the important elements that constitute a nation are: being disease free; high earning capacity; high productivity; harmonious living and strong defence". We have to find how we can provide all these elements to the citizens of every nation on an equitable basis for happiness for all.

With these thoughts, I made up my mind, of what to say to the students and the youth of Greece. I slowly repeated line by line, a hymn which I normally hear in Indian spiritual centers.

Righteousness

Where there is righteousness in the heart
There is beauty in the character.
When there is beauty in the character,
there is harmony in the home.
When there is harmony in the home.
There is an order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation,
There is peace in the world.

When the students and the youth repeated with me, the tourists around at the Acropolis also repeated and there was all round ovations. Then I realized how people from multiple nations, young and experienced were influenced by the thought of righteousness in the heart irrespective of their nationality. You can see how the righteousness in the heart generates beauty in the character in the human beings and beauty in the character leads to harmony in the home. Harmony in the home in an integrated way generates order in the nation. Of course the order in the nation finally blossoms peace in the world. The righteousness in the heart is the starting point for great individual, great family and great nation and ultimately great planet earth.

Now the question is: How do we inculcate the righteousness in the heart. In my opinion, there are three sources which can build a youth with righteousness in the heart. One is mother, second is father and the third and the most important is the teacher, particularly primary school teacher. Also to provide righteousness in the heart to the young minds, we should have an environment of great education and a spiritual way of life and spiritual environment. Apart from righteousness, the youth have to equipped with creativity and courage.

Creativity

“Learning gives creativity
Creativity leads to thinking
Thinking provides knowledge
Knowledge makes you great”

Another component is courage, which is characterized by:

COURAGE

Courage to think different,
Courage to invent,
Courage to travel into an unexplored path,
Courage to discover the impossible,
Courage to combat the problems
and succeed, Are the unique qualities of the youth.
As a youth of my nation, I will work and work with courage to achieve success in all the missions.

Combination of creativity + righteousness + courage is knowledge. How will you acquire the knowledge up to the age of seventeen? You can certainly acquire knowledge from home, good books, teachers and teaching environment.
Let me narrate you two incidents in the life of young Albert Einstein and young life of Srinivasa Ramanujan.

What ignited the young mind?

In Albert Einstein life, we find that his interest in science started early, beginning with his encounter with magnetism, which he called “the first miracle”. He was given a compass by his father and Einstein was endlessly fascinated by the fact that invisible forces could make object move. This experience made a lasting impression on him. His interest in compasses was reinforced when he found a caring mentor to hone his ideas. At the age of 12, he experienced second wonder in a little book given by his mentor Max Talmud with Euclidean plain Geometry which he called “Holy Geometry Book”. Einstein called this his “second miracle”. Here Einstein made contact with the realm of pure thought. Without expensive laboratories or equipment, he could explore universal truth, limited only by the power of human mind. Mathematics became an endless source of pleasure to Einstein especially if intriguing puzzle and mysteries were involved.

Visualizing pictures: Einstein’s father was in an electro chemical business. Being in the midst of electro magnetic contraptions awakened an intuitive understanding of electricity and magnetism in Albert Einstein. It sharpens his ability to develop graphic, physical pictures that would describe the laws of nature with uncanny accuracy. This trait, the ability to see everything in terms of physical pictures, would mark one of Einstein’s great characteristics as a physicist.

Freedom to Learn : Though born in Germany, Einstein moved to Zurich Polytechnic Institute in Switzerland. The entry into the polytechnic did not require a high school diploma, just a passing grade on its tough entrance examination was sufficient. Einstein failed in the entrance examination but he did exceptionally well in the Maths and Physics section. That impressed the Principal and he promised to take him during the following year without an entrance test. The message we get from this experience is about having a flexible system of admission. Also an ability to spot the aptitude of the student in a particular subject and nourishing the talents. In addition, Einstein enjoyed the liberal atmosphere of the Swiss school.

Simplicity in description: Unlike lesser scientists who often got lost in Mathematics, Einstein got in terms of simple physical picture – speeding trains, falling elevators, rockets and moving clocks. These pictures would unerringly guide him through the greatest ideas of the twentieth century. He wrote “All physical theories, their mathematical expression notwithstanding, ought to lend themselves to so simple a description that even a child could understand”. This is a very important message for all physics researchers and physics teachers. Here the birth of famous simple, elegant and very powerful energy equation E=MC2, which decided war and peace system of the world. Now let me talk about Srinivasa Ramanujan, a genius well ahead of time.

A genius well ahead of time: Failure did not deter him

Ramanujan, born and raised in Erode, Tamil Nadu, first encountered formal mathematics at the age of ten. He demonstrated a natural ability at mathematics, and was given books on advanced trigonometry by S. L. Loney. He mastered this book by age thirteen, and even discovered theorems of his own. He demonstrated unusual mathematical skills at school, winning many awards. By the age of seventeen, Ramanujan was conducting his own mathematical research on Bernoulli numbers and the Euler–Mascheroni constant. He received a scholarship to study at Government College in Kumbakonam. He failed his non-mathematical coursework, and lost his scholarship. Srinivasa Ramanujan lived only for 33 years and did not have formal higher education or means of living. Yet, his inexhaustible spirit and love for his subject made him contribute to the treasure houses of mathematical research – some of which are still under serious study and engaging all-available world mathematicians’ efforts to establish formal proofs. Ramanujan was a unique Indian genius who could melt the heart of the most hardened and outstanding Cambridge mathematician Prof G H Hardy. In fact, it is not an exaggeration to say that it was Prof. Hardy who discovered Ramanujan for the world. Professor Hardy rated various geniuses on a scale of 100. While most of the mathematicians got a rating of around 30 with rare exceptions reaching to 60, Ramanujan got a rating of 100. There cannot be any better tribute to either Ramanujan or to Indian heritage. His works cover vast areas including Prime Numbers, Hyper geometric Series, Modular Functions, Elliptic Functions, Mock Theta Functions, even magic squares, apart from serious side works on geometry of ellipses, squaring the circle etc. One of the tributes to Ramanujan says that, ‘every Integer is a personal friend of Ramanujan’. He was elected a Fellow of The Royal Society (F R S) in 1918.

Ramanujan used to say “An equation means nothing to me unless it expresses a thought of God”. For him the understanding of numbers was a process of spiritual revelation and connection. In his investigations into pure mathematics, he drew extraordinary conclusions that mystified his colleagues, but were usually proven, eventually, to be right. He opened a universe of theory that still today is reaping applications. The landscape of the infinite was to Ramanujan a reality of both mathematics and spirit. His love for numbers led Ramanujan to number theory. Despite being affected by chronic health problems, he was breathing Mathematics throughout his short life and his genius was recognized internationally. So friends you saw, how great creative minds, gave problem to the problems to succeed through the instrument of knowledge.

Now let me describe my visualization of the distinctive profile of India by 2020.

Distinctive Profile of India by 2020

1. A Nation where the rural and urban divide has reduced to a thin line.

2. A Nation where there is an equitable distribution and adequate access to energy and quality water.

3. A Nation where agriculture, industry and service sector work together in symphony.

4. A Nation where education with value system is not denied to any meritorious candidates because of societal or economic discrimination.

5. A Nation, which is the best destination for the most talented scholars, scientists, and investors.

6. A Nation where the best of health care is available to all.

7. A Nation where the governance is responsive, transparent and corruption free.

8. A Nation where poverty has been totally eradicated, illiteracy removed and crimes against women and children are absent and none in the society feels alienated.

9. A Nation that is prosperous, healthy, secure, devoid of terrorism, peaceful and happy and continues with a sustainable growth path.

10. A Nation that is one of the best places to live in and is proud of its leadership.

Integrated Action for developed India

To achieve the distinctive profile of India, we have the mission of transforming India into a developed nation. We have identified five areas where India has a core competence for integrated action: (1) Agriculture and food processing (2) Education and Healthcare (3) Information and Communication Technology (4) Reliable and Quality Electric power, Surface transport and Infrastructure for all parts of the country. (5) Self-reliance in critical technologies. These five areas are closely inter-related and if progressed in a coordinated way, will lead to food, economic and national security. The teachers of Rajeswari Vidyaniketan have to create the five types of minds among the students, so that the capacity is built in them to participate in the development profile which I have just now described.

Five Minds

The education system has to develop the five minds. I have come across these minds in the book “Five Minds for the Future” by Howard Gardner.

a) The disciplinary mind: mastery of mind in different schools of thought including science mathematics and history and proficiency in at least one professional craft.

b) The synthesizing mind: ability to integrate ideas from different disciplines or spheres into a coherent whole and to communicate to others.

c) The creative mind: capacity to uncover and clarify new problems, questions and phenomenon.

d) The respectful mind: awareness of and application for differences among human beings.

e) The ethical mind: fulfillment of one’s responsibility as a worker and a citizen

To develop these five minds, one need not change the syllabus of the course. The culture of the institution and vision of the institution and the teacher’s way of life will imbibe these five minds among the students.

Mission in Life

Dear friends, when I visualize the students whom you are grooming, I see in them great teachers, great principals great doctors, great engineers, great social workers, great judges, and great political leaders. Let me share with you, what are the traits needed to accomplish these goals based on my experience.

I have seen three dreams which have taken shape as vision, mission and realization. Firstly, space programme of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), AGNI programme of DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) becoming the National Mission. Of course these three programmes succeeded in the midst of many challenges and problems. I have worked in these areas. I would like to convey to you what I have learnt from these three programmes based on my personal experience.

a. Wherever there is a dream in life, that transforms into a vision and vision takes shape as many missions.

b. The necessity of high level thinking to transform the Vision into Missions.

c. Acquisition of knowledge from all sources.

d. Working and working without boundary conditions till the realization of the mission.

e. Leader absorbs the failure and takes the responsibility and gives the credit for success to his team while executing the Mission.

Conclusion

When the child is empowered by the parents, at various phases of growth, the child transforms into a responsible citizen. When the teacher is empowered with knowledge and experience, good young human beings with value systems take shape. When individual or a team is empowered with technology, transformation to higher potential for achievement is assured. When the leader of any institution empowers his or her people, leaders are born who can change the nation in multiple areas. When the women are empowered, society with stability gets assured. When the political leaders of the nation empower the people through visionary policies, the prosperity of the nation is certain. The medium for transformation to developed India is the empowerment at various levels with power of knowledge. A roadmap for realizing this vision of developed India is in front of us.

Friends, India today have a mission of transforming itself into a developed nation with value system. This is a great challenge. This can be achieved through our youth power. Youth has got the power of ideas, ambition, enthusiasm and ability. This resource of the youth is an important building block for transforming India into a developed nation.

Friends I would like to assert that “No youth today need to fear about the future”. How? If you have an aim in life, realize that spent time cannot be recovered hence the precious time has to be used for achieving the goal, have confidence to win, have confidence to defeat the problems and succeed and have a righteous heart, you will definitely succeed in all your missions.

What the teachers’ can give to the students for their growth? In an integrated way it can be said, that an enlightened human being can be created by the teacher through providing two unique characteristics. One is building capacities among the students to inquire, to innovate, be creative, and develop the qualities of entrepreneurship and moral leadership. Second is the development of moral value system. The noble life practiced by the teacher indeed becomes a beacon light to the students. Let us hear the tribute given by the great teacher Albert Einstein to the teacher: “The ideals which have lighted my way, time after time, have given new course to face life cheerfully have been kindness, beauty and truth”. This is the mission of a teacher. It will be a God given gift to the student, to have great teachers who can give and give the learning module and the way of beautiful life. I am sure the teachers of Sri Ramaswami Mudaliar School will be creating these capacities among its students.

With these words let me once again greet the members of of Rajeswari Vidyaniketan, Hulkoti during their Silver Jubilee Celebrations. My best wishes to all the members of this school success in their mission of promoting value based education among the youth of this region.

May God Bless you.

I would like the youth take a oath with me on this important day.

Oath for the Youth

1I will have a goal and work hard to achieve that goal. I realize that small aim is a crime.

2I will work with integrity and succeed with integrity.

3I will be a good citizen of the country, a good member of my family, a good member of the society, a good member of the nation and a good member of the world.

4I will always try to save or better someone's life, without any discrimination of caste, creed, language religion or state. Wherever I am, a thought will always come to my mind. That is “What can I give?”

5I will always protect and enhance the dignity of every human life without any bias.

6I will always remember that “Let not my winged days, be spent in vain”.

7I will always work for clean planet Earth and clean energy.

8As a youth of my nation, I will work and work with courage to achieve success in all my tasks and enjoy the success of others.

9My National Flag flies in my heart and I will bring glory to my nation.

- Dr. Kalam is one of the most distinguished scientists of India with the unique honour of receiving honorary doctorates from 30 universities and institutions.He became the 11th President of India on 25th July 2002. His focus is on transforming India into a developed nation by 2020.

-Sri Lanka Guardian