Chandigarh, April 9 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that alumni must ensure their contribution as 'Guru-Dakshina' to their institutions because any institute can grow better with the contributions made by its alumni.
The Chief Minister said this while addressing as the Chief Guest on the occasion of 'Alumni-Meet-2022' held at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak today.
The Chief Minister was overwhelmed to witness 100 percent attendance in the function organized at the University Auditorium. In his inaugural address, he informed about his idea of starting alumni meets in educational institutions across the state.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that whenever old students revisit their institutes, then they reminisce about that glorious phase of their lives that they spent there. Going down the memory lane of his college days, the Chief Minister said that he still remembers each corner of his college Pandit Neki Ram Sharma in Rohtak.
Educational institutions are also like our home, every student is attached to it like a family member said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Describing the importance of Alumni-Meet, the Chief Minister said that from the 273-year-old University of America, Princeton-University to Harvard University, Alumni-Meets are organized in almost every University across the globe. Alumni of these Universities have made a special contribution in the progress of their universities.
It is the responsibility of all of you to support the younger brothers and sisters studying in this University either by guiding them, paying their fees or in any other way, said Sh. Manohar Lal while addressing the alumni.
Referring to the role of education for development in society, Chief Minister said that in ancient times, Gurukul tradition was there in our country where free education was given. Students who were educated from these Gurukul used to give Guru-Dakshina once a year showing respect to their Guru. The same in the present time, Dakshina-Day is now known as a convocation ceremony, he added.
Giving information about the steps taken to reiterate his commitment to bringing reforms in the education sector, the Chief Minister said that this year an amount of Rs 20,000 crore has been allocated to the education sector so as to achieve the target of constructing one college within a radius of every 20 kms and one medical college in every district. This year four new medical colleges will be made functional, informed Sh. Manohar Lal.
He directed the Vice Chancellor of the University to write a letter on his behalf to all the alumni of the University, urging them, to ensure their contribution in the progress of the University.
Soon after the emotional appeal made by the Chief Minister for 'Guru-Dakshina' several alumni on the spot announced to donate lakhs for their University along with sharing their expertise in their respective fields, after which the Chief Minister also honoured them.
The Chief Minister said that it is not only the government's responsibility to take the country forward, but it is the duty of every citizen. Calling upon the Alumni to follow the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas' given by Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, Sh. Manohar Lal said that all of us together have to make India ‘Vishwa Guru’. Several alumni shared their University experiences with the Chief Minister and praised Sh. Manohar Lal for his idea of starting the Alumni-Meet.
The Vice Chancellor of Maharshi Dayanand University, Sh. Rajbir Singh, presiding over the Alumni-Meet function, while welcoming the Chief Minister, apprised him of the achievements of the University and informed that this education institute was started 47 years ago, has become a banyan tree today. Apart from education and sports, the University has received several awards in various fields.
Many dignitaries including MP, Sh. Arvind Sharma, Rajya Sabha MP, Sh. D P Vats, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Sh. Anand Mohan Sharan, Rohtak Mayor, Sh. Manmohan Goyal were present on the occasion.