(Telugu Poem)

Students! Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached. The need of the hour is men, who set an ideal by their valor and courage in the battle of life, and not men who pursue the physical, ephemeral, fleeting pleasures.

Students! Investigate into the concept of ideal education propagated by the ancient sages. They enthroned Righteousness and welcomed Truth. They enshrined valor and courage. You should emulate such people, who strove for the glow of Indian culture. In fact you are the true inheritors of the legacy of Indian culture. You should resolve to uphold Dharma and work for the welfare of the country. Science and technology has improved by leaps and bounds over the past 200 years, yet no sanctity has been attached to it. This has stimulated development in human civilization, but not within man. Absence of human values will lead to the decline in spirituality. Develop the strong faith that body has been gifted to uphold human values. Since ancient times Bharatiyas stood for peace, forbearance and forgiveness. A study of the history of Bharat will reveal the fact that many invaded Bharat and plundered its wealth, but never has Bharat invaded any foreign land on its own. Bharatiyas have considered divinity and purity as their two eyes. In such a sacred land justice and righteousness have been consigned to flames, resulting in trials and tribulations, turmoil and unrest on a large scale.

Education does not mean mere bookish knowledge. Knowledge acquired should be put into practice and shared with the rest of the community.

Does the ability to read and write make one educated?
Does securing college degrees make one educated?
If education is for a living, are not the birds and beasts living?

There are millions of educated men and women all over the world, but what is the benefit accruing to their respective nations? None. They are utilizing their education for selfishness and self-interest alone.

Embodiments of Love, Men and Women students!

Eschew selfishness and self-interest and resolve to serve the society.

Since ancient times Bharat has stood as an ideal for the rest of the world. Unfortunately we witness a different scenario today. We find educational institutions proliferating in every street, in every village. What is the gain therefrom? Absolutely 'nil'. Humility, the hallmark of a true student, is not noticed.

Moral and ethical values are confined only to books,
Heart has become a dwelling place for evil qualities,
Actions have become completely self-centred,
This is the progress of modern education.
(Telugu Poem)

Education acquired should be translated into action.

As I have told you repeatedly, knowledge can be classified into five categories: Bookish knowledge, Superficial knowledge, General knowledge, Discrimination knowledge and Practical knowledge. General knowledge and commonsense are very much essential. You should set an ideal by exercising practical knowledge and following the four Fs. First F is Follow the Master. Who is your master? Conscience is your master. So follow your conscience. The second F is Face the devil. The third F is Fight to the end and the fourth F is Finish the game. Play the game of life in the true spirit of sportsmanship. Students lack self-confidence. Confidence in the Self is very essential. Lack of confidence in Self will lead to depression. Today 90% of the people are afflicted with depression. Depression will lead to weakness of mind. "Nayamatma Balahinena Labhyah", a weak-minded one cannot realize the Atma. If you have confidence in the Self, you will never be weak-minded.

Money has become our God;
Pride has become our creed;
Selfishness sits supreme in the minds of men;
Egotism has become our fashion;
Greed has become our beauty;
Dharma has come to naught;
Compassion has sunk low;
Moral fervor is lost;
Hypocrisy has become the light of our life;
Love and kindness lie sick and diseased;
Modern education has blinded men with lust;
Life has become a burden;
Minds have gone astray;
Delay no more, for delay is disastrous;
Fuse morality with education in sweet harmony;
Live up to the reputation as children of Bharat.
(Telugu Poem)

Moral values should be the underlying current in each and every action of man. Only when you have moral and ethical values, you deserve to be called children of Bharat.

"Loka Samasthah Sukhino Bhavanthu", Let the whole world be happy, has been the motto of Bharat since ancient times. Resolve to revive and rejuvenate the pristine glory of Bharat. Propagate these noble ideals in every village, every street and every house. Observe unity in every activity of yours. Believe in the dictum, "Brotherhood of man and Fatherhood of God". Do not feel jealous of anyone. Jealousy is an incurable disease. Praise and censure are inevitable for man. Only the tree that bears fruit is stoned. Likewise only the good face problems. Do not attach importance to these trials and tribulations. A Tree welcomes stoning because it is aware of the fact that people have recognized its value. Similarly, man should not feel dejected when he is censured. Treat dualities like pain and pleasure with equal-mindedness. Develop this broadmindedness. Divinity blossoms in those with such a sacred attitude. All are the embodiments of God. Krishna declared: "Mamaivamso Jeevaloke Jeevabhuta Sanathanah" (All are sparks of My divinity). Do not consider yourselves as mere mortals. Have firm faith that you are divine. Only then you will be able to work for the emancipation of this country, and it will be restored to the status of teacher to the rest of the world.

The Vice Chancellor quoted from the Taittiriya Upanishad, "Matrudevo Bhava, Pitrudevo Bhava, Acharyadevo Bhava, Atithidevo Bhava", revere your mother, father, preceptor and guest as God. This was the teaching given to the students at the time of leaving the portals of Gurukul in ancient times. This act of benediction is termed Convocation today. Education is the very form of God. The word 'education' has originated from the root word 'educare', meaning 'to bring out' or 'to elicit'. Educare has two aspects: that which relates to the head and that which relates to the heart. That which emerges from the head is pravritti (external) and that from the heart is nivritti (internal). Unless the head is empty (free from evil) it cannot be stuffed with good. Modern education relates to the head, but true education relates to the heart. Sacred qualities like Compassion, Truth, Forbearance, Love originate from the heart. Here is a small example. Physical features like height, weight, complexion can be seen by the naked eye, whereas there are innumerable qualities like compassion, truth, love which are unseen. Merely acquainting oneself about the physical features of an individual does not make one aware of his/her true personality.

Hiranyakasipu's scientific achievements far exceeded those of the modern scientists. He could even reach the Polestar, whereas the modern scientists have traveled only up to moon. Prahlada cautioned his father Hiranyakasipu, "Oh! Father, you have conquered all the worlds, but not your senses. The same sentiment was expressed by the Prime Minister of England, Churchill, "Man has conquered all, but he has not conquered himself". Man knows everything, but not himself. On being questioned by a westerner as to why he was in a pensive mood, Gandhi replied that he was ruminating over the modern educational system, which was making him stoneheaded. Education should fill one's heart with love and compassion. Two parts of hydrogen and one part of oxygen add up to make water. Greatness lies in sharing water equally, not making it. Everyone has an equal right in sharing water. Today everyone is fighting for rights but what about responsibility? Students! You do not need to fight for rights. Discharge your responsibilities, rights will follow. Do your duty, duty is God; work is worship. What is your right? To make everybody happy is your right. Serve everybody and make everyone happy without expecting anything in return. Service is God. "The best way to love God is to love all and serve all". "Speak softly and sweetly". "You cannot always oblige, but you can speak always obligingly". That is the essence of Bharatiya Vidya. Education does not mean "Twinkle, Twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are?" All this is artificial education. True Bharatiya Vidya is one, which fosters spirituality and human values.