Instill core civilizational values in children, says Mukherjee

Expressing pain over the deviation from civilizational values which can be often seen in our society, President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday called upon school authorities to do their utmost to instill core civilizational values in children.

Addressing the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Sainik School, Bijapur, Mukherjee asked school authorities to do their utmost to inculcate in young men and women core civilizational values such as discipline, compassion, tolerance, respect for the opinion of others, regard for their rights and a high sense of duty to the nation.

The President said that if India is to join the ranks of advanced nations, it must strengthen the foundation of education.

He further said Sainik Schools were the result of the far-sighted planning and leadership of stalwarts like former Defence Ministers VKK Menon, Y.B. Chavan, then Chief Minister of Karnataka, S. Nijalingappa and then Union Education Minister, K.L. Shrimali.

Recalling the famous saying that the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton and Harrow, Mukherjee paid tribute to the brave soldiers and officers of the Indian army who stand on eternal vigil at the borders and who are ever ready to support civilian authorities during natural disasters and when help is needed to maintain law and order.