ANNUAL DAY - 1 :

"PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY"

BY P S SUNDAR

                      Former Chairman and present member of Atomic Energy Commission Dr M R Srinivasan, who has been conferred with Padma Vibhushan on this year’s Republic Day, has urged students to pursue higher education in science and technology.

“There is bright future for students to engage in application of solar, wind and nuclear sources to produce power for a stronger India.  Many problems remain unresolved like making viable the recycling of garbage which is possible in principle.  Students should acquire such ‘new knowledge’ for the good of the country”, he said delivering the chief guest address at 126^th Annual Day of St Joseph’s Boys’ Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School here on Friday night.

"Your students highlighted the evils of consuming alcohol through their skit.   We are saddened to see drunkards on the road.  The Government should not open liquor shops near schools", he opined. 

Appreciating 'sustainability' theme of the school as depicted in the students' presentation, he said, "Sustainability means causing the least damage to environment.   We need to produce large amount of food without much side-effects.   Most chemicals used as pesticides or fertilisers affect the life-cycle of birds.  What is food for one is poison for another". 

"I envy the children who study in the Nilgiris because of the good weather and excellent infrastructure.  We need to capitalise on these and produce good sports persons as well", he added. 

                “Our theme for the year is ‘sustainability’.  We have sensitised our students to contribute significantly to protect nature against pollution of all kinds.  Our students’ presentations on this Annual day motivate elders to commit to sustainability”, school Principal Bro Dominic Jacob told me. 

                  The KG section staged a pleasing 'Fashion Parade'. The ICSE juniors laid thrust on 'sustainability' linking with the five elements that constinute the universe.  Anglo India Juniors presented a graceful 'Western Baila'.  Eleventh standard students thrilled with a Fusion Dance while Ninth standard excelled in Hip Hop dance.   The two skits were packed with humour and sense -- "A Dream" was a Tamil highlight asking elders to vote and that too sensibly.  The English skit "The Sheriff's kitchen" highlighted the evils of drinking with an open message to elders not to get drunk.   The concluding  numbers of North India folk dance by ICSE MIddle School and South Indian Fold Dance by Anglo-Indian Middle School were captivating. The school choir and The Beat Group gave mesmerising numbers. 

While distributing prizes to hundreds of students as Guest of Honour, I shared with Principal Bro Dominic Jacob some telling behaviour of children :: many said 'Thank you Sir" .. one said, "I am privileged to get this from you Sir" .. one said, "It is a great honour Sir" .. one said, "I am very happy Sir" .. some little children by-passed me and Principal to go to the staff who was holding the trophies to grab them !! a couple of them dropped the trophies in over enthusiasm .. very many wanted to shake hands with me .. the elder students were keen to have the photos taken .. one boy had injury in leg and was literally carried on to the stage..some were in their drama dress and behaved like the actors in role!! But, I said 'congratulations' to every student individually and personally because every winner needs to be appreciated...