Address by Governor at inauguration of Marathi version book ‘Exam Warriors’

Address by Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra at the inauguration of the Marathi version of the book ‘Exam Warriors’ at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai at 7 pm on Tuesday, 27 February 2018

माननीय मुख्यमंत्री श्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस, भारत रत्न श्री सचिन तेंडूलकर, आमदार श्री मंगल प्रभात लोढा, सर्व लोक प्रतिनिधी, निमंत्रित मान्यवर, विद्यार्थी मित्र, बंधुंनो आणि भगिनींनो,

राज भवन येथे आपणा सर्वांचे मनःपूर्वक स्वागत करताना मला अतिशय आनंद होत आहे.

सर्व प्रथम मी आपणा सर्वांना मराठी भाषा गौरव दिनानिमित्त खूप खूप शुभेच्छा देतो.

आता मी इंग्रजीतून बोलणार आहे. मात्र, आज इथे, मराठी अनुवाद होणार नाही !! यासाठी मला इंग्रजीतून बोलण्याची अनुमती द्यावी.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I feel honoured to have been asked to release the Marathi version of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s book ‘Exam Warriors’.

The book couldn’t have come at a more appropriate juncture. HSC Board examinations have started. Schools and Colleges and millions of students are gearing up for various examinations.

‘Exam Warriors’ seeks to free the students from the shackles of worries, stress and nervousness that is often associated with examinations.

In the epic of Mahabharata, Lord Krishna had given a piece of wisdom to Arjuna in the form of Bhagwad Gita.

While narrating Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna not only lifted the spirits of a crestfallen Arjuna, he filled Arjuna with a positive energy to face the battle with courage and confidence. Even after thousands of years, we find the words of Lord Krishna relevant and encouraging.

‘Exam Warriors’ is likewise a piece of advice and counsel for students who are going to face their examinations.

Unlike other books, Exam Warriors is an unusual book. It engages the reader, it inspires the reader, it motivates the reader and it de-stresses the reader.

The book focuses on holistic development of the students through Yoga as well as through the integration of technology. Even though the book is intended for students, it is a must read for everyone including policymakers, teachers, parents and educationists.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done a great favour to the students from the entire country and to our society at large by writing this book and also by making it available in various Indian languages.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This morning, I read a comment by Steve Wozniak who was the Co-founder of Apple, alongwith Steve Jobs.

Referring to the Indian education system, he said “The culture here is one of success based upon academic excellence, studying, learning, practicing and having a good job and a great life. The creativity gets left-out when your behaviour is too predictable and structured.” (Unquote)

Even though, the observation sounds bitter, we have to accept that our education system has generally become an examination – centric system.

A couple of years ago, an international survey showed that the average mathematical and problem solving abilities of a 21 year old engineering graduate in India was lower than the average 15 year old student in OECD (Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development) countries !

Why this has happened?

There is a unanimous view that the education system in India places undue emphasis on rote-learning. There is no room for creative thinking or original idea.

I do feel that our education system urgently needs a course correction. We have to encourage our students to think analytically, understand concepts, think innovatively and become lifelong learners. We also have to fill our students with the spirit of enterprise and industry. This is something missing in our education system.

We also need to empower our teachers and encourage them to read more and adopt innovative teaching techniques.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our ancient scriptures mention that Lord Ganesha was a Master of 14 Vidyas and 64 Kalas. These Kalas included archery, swimming, dance, music and other art forms. This shows that our education system laid equal emphasis on sports and culture which shapes the personality of students. This is something distinctly missing in our education system.

We have known that Indian Universities like Nalanda, Takshasheela and others attracted students from all over the world.

An enquiry into the remote past shows our achievements and innovations in various fields.

Mathematician Aryabhatta was the first person to create a symbol for zero and it was through his efforts that mathematical operations like addition and subtraction started using the digit, zero.

Bhaskaracharya, who lived at Patnadevi near Jalgaon in his treatise Surya Siddhanta, calculated the time taken for the earth to orbit the sun to nine decimal places (365.258756484 days).

Sushruta Samhita is considered to be one of the most comprehensive textbooks on ancient surgery. Charaka authored the Charaka Samhita, on the ancient science of Ayurveda. That was our leadership in scientific pursuits, creativity and innovation. I am recalling this proud past for the benefit of the students who are present amidst us.

Somehow, we lost our leadership in many areas during the long spell of foreign domination. The education system introduced by Lord Macaulay caused great damage to our indigenous education system which promoted the spirit of enquiry and innovation. Our innovation was also translated into ideas.

Nearly every kind of manufacture or product known to the civilized world was produced in India.

India was a far greater industrial and manufacturing nation than any in Europe or than any other in Asia. Our textile goods, in cotton, wool, linen and silk-were famous over the civilized world. So were our jewellery and precious stones; so were pottery, porcelains, ceramics of every kind, quality, color and beautiful shape.

According to J T Sunderland, “India had great architecture-equal in beauty to any in the world. She had great engineering works. She had great merchants, great businessmen, great bankers and financiers. Not only was she the greatest ship-building nation, but she had great commerce and trade by land and sea which extended to all known civilized countries. Such was the India which the British found when they came.” (unquote)

We have to rediscover our education system to reclaim our past glory and to make India a ‘Vishwa Guru’ once again.

The book ‘Exam Warriors’ comes from Modiji, who is regarded as a great communicator. The book has been designed and made for the children of the 21st Century. Illustrations and activity makes the book eminently enjoyable for students. I am sure it will be welcomed by one and all.

Before I conclude I want to make an appeal to the parents. Parents should not compare their children with other children. Children don’t like comparison. Every child is unique. Let us find the likings and inclinations of our children and help them pursue the subjects of their choice.

The nation wouldn’t have seen Sachin Tendulkar if his parents had not recognized his liking for cricket and permitted him to pursue his passion.

The book ‘Exam Warriors’ brings with it, a lot of positivity and therefore I welcome the book wholeheartedly. I have great pleasure in recommending the book to students.

I congratulate and compliment the BlueKraft Digital Foundation for coming up with another gem after bringing out the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ and wish all of you a Happy Reading.

Jai Hind ! Jai Maharashtra !!

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