Every moth during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme via Radio channel, our Hon. Prime Minister addresses the nation and especially the young generation on various topics. This time, he gave the good news about the ancient idol of Devi Annapurna which is being brought back from Canada after so many years. Since his speech was coinciding with Guru Nanak Jayanti, he spoke as to how he was deeply inspired by the ideals of Guru Nanak Devji. Speaking about Sri Arbindo, he said that the more you know about him, the more you will know yourself and enrich yourself. But, most importantly, he appealed to educational institutions to develop creative platform for alumni engagement.
He said that during past few days he had an opportunity to interact with students of several universities across the country and be a part of important events in their journey of education. “Through technology I was able to connect with students of IIT- Guwahati, IIT-Delhi, Deendayal Petroleum University of Gandhinagar, JNU of Delhi, Mysore University and Lucknow University. To be amongst the youth of the country is extremely refreshing and energizing. University campuses in a way are like Mini India. In these campuses on the one hand we see the diversity of India; on the other we also find great passion for changes for a New India. Before Corona when I used to go for a face to face event at any institution, I would urge that poor students from nearby schools to be invited to the function. Those children have been attending the functions as my special guests. When a small child in the grand function watches a young person becoming a Doctor, Engineer, Scientist, sees someone receiving a medal, new dreams awaken in the child- ‘I too can do it’, this self confidence arises. There is inspiration for resolve,” he added.
He also showed keen interest in knowing who the alumni of the institution were, what arrangements by the institution for regular engagement with its alumni were and how vibrant their alumni network was. Then he further appealed, “My young friends, you are a student of an institution only till you study there, but you remain an alumni of that institution lifelong. After leaving school or college, two things never end – one, the influence of your education, and second, your bonding with your school or college. Whenever alumni interact with each other, in their memories of school or college, greater time is given to reminiscing about time on campus and moments spent with friends than about books and studies, and, from these memories, a feeling is born to do something for the institution.”
What he meant was that there cannot be greater happiness than to lend a hand in development of the place where your personality was moulded. “I have read certain such efforts, where the former students have given back to their old institutions in great measure. Nowadays, alumni are very active in this. IITians have provided their institutions many facilities like Conference Centres, Management Centres& Incubation Centres set up by their efforts. All of these endeavors improve the learning experience of the current students. IIT Delhi has initiated an endowment fund, which is a brilliant idea. There is a culture of such endowments in renowned universities across the world, which helps the students. I think that universities of India are also capable to institutionalize this culture.”
The P.M. further emphasized the need of returning something back to the institution from where you gained knowledge. “ When it comes to returning something, nothing can be deemed big or small. Even the smallest help matters. Every effort is important. Often, alumni play a very important role in technology upgradation of their institutions, in construction of buildings, in initiating awards and scholarships and in starting programs for skill development. The old student associations of certain schools have started mentorship programmes. In these programmes, they guide the students of different batches and also discuss educational prospects. Alumni associations are robust in many schools, especially in boarding schools, where they organize activities like sports tournaments and community service. I would like to urge former students to keep consolidating their bonding with the institution in which they have studied! Whether it is at the level of school, college, or university. I also urge the institutions to work on new and innovative ways of alumni engagement and develop creative platforms so that alumni can be actively involved. A strong vibrant & active alumni network is needed not only in big Colleges and Universities but also in schools of our villages.”