Students must be creative, not obstructive and destructive: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu

Delivering the 28th convocation address at the Pondicherry University (PU), Naidu said that we need to go beyond it and we must emphasize the crucial aspect of what is commonly called “emotional intelligence”, the ability to be a good human being, a balanced, rational and sensitive person who uses knowledge for the common good of humanity.

We must give equal importance to all the four pillars of learning suggested by UNESCO. Learning to know, learning to do, learning to be and learning to live together are equally important, he said. In the present global context, the fourth dimension learning to live together-is perhaps the most important, the Vice President said.

Venkaiah stressed that one should learn his mother tongue. Practicing mother tongue is most important, he said, adding that there is no problem in learning other languages too. Learn Hindi also which will give opportunities at the National level, “There is no imposition, no opposition and that is the position,” he said.

The Vice President said blind opposition to any language is wrong and added one should master his mother tongue first. Stressing the need for fitness, the Vice President called upon the students to be physically fit by doing exercises. He said that even in his 71st year, he could move from place to place because of his fitness. “I used to do some exercise and Yoga,” Venkaiah said.

Asserting that country needs positive attitude, he also called upon the students to be creative, not obstructive and destructive.

In an apparent reference to the ongoing agitations in the country, Naidu said that everyone got their right to agitate in a democratic manner. But destruction of property is not good, he added. In our country, a bill for something is not suffice, but political will is required, the Vice President said.

On the convocation robe, he said this colonial dress should go. We should have some simple Indian Khadi silk cloth and this change be done by the Universities.

Congratulating the students, the Vice President said, to function effectively in this ever changing scenario, they need to be agile, should be able to absorb new inputs, should be able to adapt global good practices in their own context and should try to aim for excellence. The students should also be pro-active, forward looking and aim for greater heights, he added.

He said India is the most tolerant country in the world and added that share and care is the core of Indian Philosophy. We must develop compassion and do not create commotion as some people are trying to do, Naidu said.