Mr. Chancellor, Mr. Pro-Chancellor Mr. Vice-
Chancellor, Graduates of the Year and Friends:
Thankful as I am
for the unique honor conferred on me by this institution, it is not without
hesitation as a good deal of trepidation that I stand before this august
assembly to-day to deliver the Convocation address, for though it is a pleasure
to be present on the happy occasion of greeting the graduates of the year and
wishing them all a bright and prosperous future, it is not an easy task to
place before them appropriate guidelines-conscious as I am of my own limitations
and aware of the eminence of those who stood at this rostrum in the past and
gave weighty and worthy advice to the graduates. Stalwarts in various walks of
life, scholars of erudition and experience, administrators of rare abilities,
have all been here to deliver instructive discourses, and I do not for a moment
imagine that I have the capacity to add any thing substantial to what has been
already said by those who preceded me. I am convinced therefore that to be
called upon to deliver this address is
not so much an invitation as a command to me bestow the most careful and
considered thought on the role of Universities in general and of the Annamalai
University in particular.
The fact that I
am conscious of my own limitations gives me a sense of relief, for attempt I
shall not to offer original ideas or theories with a special stamp, but only
reiterate some of the cardinal principles enunciated by those who offered their
a advice in past years, perhaps with annotations here and there, bringing to
bear the lay-man’s point of view to the findings of experts in various fields
connected with education.
This is the age
of the common man-whatever the regrets some might have –and it’s his point of
view that matters most and I do claim to represent him in all his ruggedness.
Systems and
schools of thought, whether it is in philosophy or politics, ethics or
economics, are certainly meant for him. Of course, the interpretation should
come from scholars and experts and the art of translating them into every day
activity is to be undertaken by the administrators. Universities, as the
repositories of knowledge and the nursing ground for the emissaries of thought
wisdom and service, have got a prominent
role to play-and the prominence is growing every day, as more and more
individuals get themselves equipped for the task of bettering society in all
its age when we have eschewed monarchy and autocracy and have inaugurated the
era of democracy.
During the
monarchical or feudal days, Universities had to train scholars and poets to
adorn the chambers of Royalty or the gilded mansions of Lord and nobles and
their wisdom was meant for the mansion, not for the market place. Those were
days when numbers did not count, nor were eminent scholars asked to face the
problems confronting the masses. They were content to work in secluded spheres,
far from the din and noise of the common man and weave the costly fabric of
philosophy of poetry which on turn was to be converted into dazzling garments
for the select and the privileged.
The role of the
University to-day is not cloistered and confined as in the past. Its function
has been enlarged-not in its fundamentals but in its domain. It has to take
into account the commonness, but to trim and train, guide and lead him, for
asked to do his duty as the citizen of a democracy-a task which kindles sweet
hopes but which demands, patience and perseverance, faith and confidence, faith
in himself and in others and confidence in his inherent ability to shoulder the
responsibilities. The common man has become the birth place of a potential
ruler and the duty today, the responsibility today of the universities is to
fashion out of him as an individual fitted and equipped for the task of making
democracy fruitful and effective.
I said that the
duties and responsibilities of Universities have grown in dimension and scope,
but pointed out that the fundamentals remain unaltered and these fundamentals
are of permanent value and of perennial interest. The supreme task before the
University is to give those who seek a vision of knowledge in its true
proportions and perspectives, to maintain the sovereignty of ideas and ideals
in the world. A balanced mind, the ability to discriminate between what is
merely trivial and what is important, the capacity to look at a problem from
all its angles without fear or favour, to be tolerant of the other man’s point
of view. These are fundamentals which are unalterable and it’s only the
universities that can provide society with a continuous stream of men and women
endowed with these qualities.
While addressing
the University of
Brussels,
Dr.s.Radhakrishnan, our former president, made the following statement:
“For its proper
functioning democracy requires more qualities than other forms of government.
It is in the universities that we can develop the true spirit of democracy,
appreciation of other points of view and adjustment of differences through
discussions. It can be kept healthy and strong by the exercise of individual
responsibility and judgement.in universities we have to re-call the struggles
of the past and realize the perils and possibilities, the challenges and opportunities,
of the present.”
Democracy is not
a form of government alone –it is an invitation to a new life-an experiment in
the art of sharing responsibilities and benefits-an attempt to generate the
common task. Hence we cannot afford to waste a single talent, improverish a
single man or woman or allow a single individual to be stunted in growth or
held under tyranny and the universities should through the graduates it sends
forth year after year, annihilate the forces that attempt at aggrandizement and
tyranny, fight against caste and hypocrisy and enthrone human dignity.
Graduates of the
year, I wish you all a prosperous future-for, after all, the immediate concern
of every individual, graduate or no graduate, is to acquire the means for a
decent living. That is the first motivation for all human activity and no one
can ignore it, but that ought not to be the sole objective. Something higher
and nobler than mere individual material advancement is expected of you – for
remember that this University education is a privilege that you enjoy, for
which you are deeply indebted to the community of which you are a member. Most
of the money needed for maintaining institutions of higher education come from
the revenues collected from the community through the State, and a good
proportion of that revenue comes from the tillers and the toilers, men who did
not enjoy this privilege, men who willingly submit themselves to discomfort, so
that they can enable the next generation to lead a better life. Graduates of
the Annamalai University, may I ask you, how you are going
to repay – what is to be your contribution to the social chest on which you
have drawn so largely. Unless you replenish it richly, coming generations will
find only an empty coffer. Your superior education increases your
responsibility to society and therefore, apart from or along with your own
individual advancement, society has got a right to expect an adequate return
from you – not so much in terms of money as in terms of service – in toning up
society, in bringing light into the dark alleys, sunshine into dingy places, solace
into the afflicted, hope unto the despondent and a new life unto every one.
That this is a
welcome and worthy ideal none would dispute, but not every one will come
forward to translate that ideal into action – and yet our ancient as well as
modern thinkers have all stated in unmistakable terms that wisdom is manifested
in action.
Unless service
is the outcome, the sermons become sweet nothings. As Jefferson
stated,
“We must dream
of an aristocracy of achievements arising out of a democracy of opportunities”
And when I seek
your help and co-operation in the supreme task of serving society, please do
not wink and smile and say, it is all so easy to say. I am not unaware of the
difficulties in the way, nor am I going to brush aside the influence of the
environment on you. May be, the world in which you are to begin the journey is
one which will dim your hope, disturb your determination. You may come face to
face with the unpleasant sight of practices widely differing from the principles
inculcated in you. You may find self-seekers enthroned and the patient worker
decried. Tyranny of all sorts may stare at you and every step you take will be
a struggle. I admit that the environment is such that even people with robust
optimism will be discouraged and forced to take to the part of ease and
comfort.
But, we should
also realize that a continuous stream of men and women endowed with the spirit
of service has been carrying on the crusade successfully and have conferred
rich benefit on humanity.
We, the Tamilians
have been holding aloft this ideal for more than two thousand years and hence
we find in pura nanuru this passage,
"c©lhš m«k
ï›îyf« . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
jk¡bfd Kayh
neh‹whŸ
ãw®¡bfd KaYe®
c©ik ahnd!"
As inheritors of
that rich legacy, you are best fitted to overcome even the environment and
serve society to the best of your abilities,
Anyone, who
proposes to do good must not expect people to roll stones out of his way, but
must accept his lot calmly if they even roll a few more upon it. A strength
which becomes clearer and stronger through its experience of such obstacles is
the only strength that can conquer them – says Albert Schweitzer.
Though the problems
in various countries are of a similar nature, the peculiarity attached to the
problems of our country is of a pronounced nature.
Ours is not case
of starting from scratch-had that been the case the only thing needed would
have been the intensity of effort to be put forth. Ours is a case of erosion of
the mind – we are not in search of fields, but have to engage in the task of
fertilizing it, irrigating it, we are not in search of ideals, but are engaged
in the more intricate task of classifying, codifying and verifying layers of
ideals. We are not wanting in culture-but have to cleanse it from the cob-web
of time and de-adulterate it. In short, we have to re-discover ourselves, and
re-construct our entire thought. Once task to-day is to allow fresh air and
sunshine and regain the original shape and stature – that which made us well
Known is distant
lands and climes.Our literature, art and architecture are fine specimens of
human intelligence – but they bear the ravages of time and also the effect of
currents and cross currents so that to-day we have to listen to the foreign
historian or scholar in order to realize the “glory and grandeur” of our own
country.
Age commands
veneration –but unless it is recuperated, decay sets in. our culture and civilization
are hoary, but we have allowed scars and wrinkles to disfigure them. It is our
duty therefore to re-discover and re-construct what is ours and enrich it by
drawing liberally upon the achievements of other countries.
Our problem is
not want of a system –in any branch of knowledge. We have fine specimens in all
spheres. We claim also –and that rightly –immortality for our systems, but we
have not succeeded in keeping them fresh and young, effective and energetic,
for we have allowed them to decay.
If a system has
to endure, says, Dr.Radhakrishnan, it must be perpetually young and ready to
change. In other words, it must be capable of accepting new ideas, have the
resilience of mind which the young have, have the openness, flexibility and
spirit of adventure by which they accept what is given to them and transform it
out of recognition.
Eos, a goddess
falling in love with a mortal, prayed to god to grant immortality to the
lover-‘yes’, said god, and the mortal gained immortality. But he grew old, infirm,
senile, decayed –and what was a feast once to the eyes of Eos became a sight to
shun and grieve over –and he who gained immortality longed for death – for what
is life if it becomes a prey to decay? Then Eos sighed and said, “I prayed for
immortality for my lover, forgetting to pray for perpetual youth.”
We in this
country are facing some such situation – and we are in charge of the task of
rejuvenating our culture and civilization – our entire thought, instead of
attempting that, we have been, for too long a period, doting upon the decayed
forms attempting to defend them from critics and currents of new thought. And
while other parts of the world, after persistent and patient search after
truth, have arrived at new conclusions and are scaling new heights, we are
content to sit near the shattered rampart and narrate past glory.
Our religion has
degenerated into rituals, our society which was once classless and casteless
has degenerated into water –tight compartments of caste and creed and all the
while, we have kept either silent or have been supplying defense to
superstition and orthodoxy by offering liberal allowing this state of affairs
to exist, despite condemnation and protest, and, more than that, whenever a doughty
warrior comes forth to fight against the evils prevalent, we decry and denounce
him as an annihilator of noble values and hoary systems. Periyar Ramasami
represents and symbolizes the fury and frustration in a sizable section of
society at this state of affairs. To allow systems to degenerate and at the
same time denounce those who champion the cause of rationalism is but to
perpetuate superstition and orthodoxy and allow this society of ours to get
decomposed.
Universities
offer the proper forum for a free and full discussion of these intricate
problems and graduates trained here are to go forth as emissaries of that
social reconstruction which is long over due. The country looks to centers of
learning like this
Universities to
enable the people to pursue the path of progress, braving difficulties and if
need be, courting danger.
Graduates of the
Annamalai University, let me call upon you to
carry on the crusade against caste which cannot co-exist with democracy,
against superstition which cannot co-exist with science and against tyranny of
various dimensions which cannot co-exist with liberty, equality and fraternity.
Pursuing
vocations for your and your families’ well being, you have to perform your duty
towards society. You are to become torch – bearers of rationalism – and
rationalism does not mean repudiation of basic and fundamental truths and
maxims, but the annihilation of dubious modes of thought and action. You have
to work hard and with daring and dash, for we have to clear cob-webs which are
centuries old and let reason reign supreme.
Another peculiar
feature of our times is the fact that we are a nation in the making, and if in
their anxiety to forge integration, some confuse unity with uniformity, it is
the duty of men trained here to clearly enunciate the principle and see to it
that, in the name of unity, no part of the country is made to become the vassal
of another part-knowingly or unknowingly. We cannot be a party to foul play,
however worthy the goal. Just on the eve of independence Rajaji stated with an
acumen all his own, “our political experiment is really like melting iron and
metals and pouring them in to a crucible and making an alloy, an alloy which
can stand wear and tear . It is not like the chinaware that other people have
turned out in their countries. Their democracies were easy to make – like
plastics. But we are dealing with metals.” National integration is a goal,
worthy and much – sought after, but neither in the field of language nor in the
economic sphere, could we tolerate injustice and domination. That is exactly
why this government was brought into existence – it represents the
determination of the people to be coerced into accepting Hindi as the official
language.
When we plead
for the continuance of English as the link language, some people do misrepresent
us and misinterpret our motive. They trot out untenable arguments and
disputable statistics, bring in the bogey of disintegration and want to silence
people by threats and troops. Problems were never solved by autocratic methods
– and this problem of language is intimately connected with our way of life,
not for the present alone but for the future as well.
The government
of Tamilnadu has stated in unmistakable terms that Tamil and English can serve
all our purposes, the former as the official language of this state and the
latter as the link language. If it is accepted and the most emphatic of Hindi protagonists
do accept that - if it is accepted that English can serve admirably as a link
between our state and the outside world, why plead for Hindi to be the link
language here? What serves to link us with the outside world is certainly
capable of rendering the same service inside India as well. To plead for two
link languages is like boring a smaller hole in a wall for the kitten while
there is a bigger one for the cat. What suits the cat will suit the kitten as
well
English is
foreign, some argue, as if we were out to destroy or give up everything
foreign. We bring foreign wear in foreign ships. We seek foreign aid not only
in the shape of money bur also in the from of technical know-how and not a week
passes without one or other leader undertaking a journey to the west or east to
secure whatever aid is possible to secure. And on top of all these things, we
have given up so many systems peculiarly our own.
We are not
content with rural economy, we want Trombays and Ennores. And we are not
conscious of their being foreign; only in the matter of language we pose as
being ultra –nationalists and dub the English language as foreign.
Shelly and Byron,
Keats and Coleridge, Emerson and Bacon-they are not foreign to us in the strict
sense of the term. Is Tiruvalluvar a mere Tamilian? They are all world citizens
– world teachers. And the language enshrining their thoughts is not to be
discarded just because it comes from another country. That we are not going to
accord a higher status to English is borne out by the fact that we have
accepted and are implementing with due caution the principle of making Tamil
the medium of instruction in colleges –progressively.
University
education is an epitome of all that is best in thought cultivated in various
countries, and from you should radiate universal thought and cosmopolitan
ideas.
And if we are to
get all these and more from out of the graduates of the University we have to
re-examine the methods in vogue in universities, in teaching and in
administration, and so perfect them that every student feels that he is a
co-sharer of the pleasure and privilege of knowledge along with his professors.
I shall not dabble in methods of teaching or administration-experts in that
field are the natural custodians-my plea is only as regards the necessity for a
re-examination.
While the
functions assigned to universities are mostly of the same type, the Annamalai University, by its structure and spirit,
has got a special function of its own. The great founder’s nobility and
generosity has made this institution gain the esteem of eminent men here and
elsewhere; but if we analyze the thought and motive force of Rajah Sir Annamalai
Chettiar, we will find that he wanted this place to be not only a seat of
learning and research of Tamil Culture and Tamil polity. He had the foresight
to realize that Tamilians were going to cultivate their special talents and
that was exactly why he started and made a success of the Tamil Isai Movement. Rajah
Sir was never a man of tall talk-he believed in solid work and he knew the time
was bound to come for us to delve deep into our annals and literature, culture
and civilization and succeed in getting due and adequate recognition in the
world forum.
Truly great has
been our achievement in the field of literature. To be able to announce to the
world that we the Tamilians do process.
“e‰¿id ešy
FWªbjhid I§FWü
bwh¤j gâ‰W¥g¤
njh§F gÇghlš
f‰w¿ªnjh® V¤J«
fÈnah lf«òwbk‹
¿¤âw¤j v£L¤
bjhif”
And to present
to the world the great Tirukkural which is a Code of Conduct for the entire
humanity are something about which we can have pardonable pride and pleasure.
And yet, are we
devoting enough attention to these Tamil Classics? Addressing the Convocation
here in 1943, the late lamented Sir R.K. Shanmukham Chetty had the following to
say:-
“I graduated
with a complete ignorance of Tamil Culture and History: in fact with a great
deal of contempt for these. I attained a fair degree of proficiency in English
literature and the history of European culture. I acquired some knowledge of
even Anglo- Saxon and Gothic. I read the translation of the Bible in the Gothic
language , but I had not read the Kural of Valluvar. I could understand
Chaucer, but the name of Ilango was nothing but a name. Even after leaving
College, I kept alive my interest in these studies and built up a Library in
which there was not a single Tamil book.
In my early
youth when I lived in a world of my own with no sense of responsibility, all
this made no difference to me and I was proud of my learning. Soon when manhood
came with its cares and problems, I found myself a stranger in my own
home…….Gradually I began to realize the incongruity of my scheme of life and
for some time now I have been endeavoring to rectify the balance. It was only a
few years ago that I seriously attempted to study some of the Tamil Classics. I
find that they are fit to rank among the immortal works of the world. I now
bitterly regret my neglect of the treasures of my own land.”
It was not an
apologia, but the expression of a new determination and Sir R.K.Shanmukaham
lived to establish the truth that he had mastered not only the Tamil language
but Tamil literature as well. Had he lived for some more years, he would traveled
many a land carrying the message of the Tamil Classics, which spoke at such a
hoary past about
“x‹nw FyK« xUtnd
njtD«”
“ahJ« Cnu ahtU«
nfË®”
“Éidna Mlt®¡F
cÆnu”
“ešyJ brŒjš M‰Ö
uhÆD«
mšyJ brŒjš
X«òÄ‹”
“v›tÊ ešyt® Mlt®
m›tÊ mšy thÊa
Ãynd”
“bršt¤J¥ gand
<jš”
“ÔJ« e‹W« ãw® ju
thuh”
“gF¤J©L gšYÆ®
X«òjš ünyh®
bjhF¤jt‰WŸ všyh«
jiy”
Thoughts now
placed before the world as blossoms of the modern age.
You, graduates
of the Annamalai University, have got undertake the special task of carrying
the message that our classics contain to the entire world and declare that what
was the most ancient here is what is being introduced to-day as the most
modern.
South India is
the home of the most ancient culture Though for a fairly long period there was
the mist of ignorance, thick and widespread, it has now been acknowledge by all
that Dravidian Civilization of a highly developed character can be traced back
to the second and third millennia before Christ. Many a Foreign scholar has
borne testimony to the perfection with which Tamil language has been developed
into an instrument of precise and subtle thought and to the beauty and richness
of the literature – which is contained in it. Dravidian literature, philosophy,
art and architecture offer therefore a rich and fruitful field for exploration
and critical investigation.
Not for more
glorification but for a just appreciation of all that is of real value and
beauty in our past heritage. We need this research and investigation.
I do not propose
to talk about your responsibility in the political arena. Suffice it to say
that you should make democracy safe and sound, salubrious and fruitful.
Carry the message that this Universities has given to
you wherever you go, whatever the station you find yourselves in and elevate
the common man- the average man-
“He seems
incredible but represents two –thirds of mankind. He lives in hut. He cannot
read or write. His energy is sapped by disease. He labours up to 15hours a day.
He works on land he does not own. He and his family are family are usually
hungry. He will die young. But he still has hopes for his children; that they
will be strong and healthy; will be able to read and write, will know individual
freedom in a peaceful world. This is the world’s average Man.”
And the world
over, this average Man has become conscious of the injustice done to him and as
a consequence we find agitations and marches, struggles and clashes. In many a
country, measures to raise his level have been undertaken. Take a pledge, here
and now, that we will not lag behind and leave our average man in the lurch.
For if the base is weak, the dome is doomed. Inheritors as you are of a noble
heritage, you are eminently fitted for this noble task, and on its success
depends the future of this nation as of others.
Let us remember
what Woodrow Wilson said,
“Nations are
renewed from the bottom not from the top . . . real wisdom of human life is
compounded out of the experiences of ordinary men. The utility, the vitality,
the fruitage of life comes like the natural growth of a great tree, from the
soil, up through the trunk into the branches to the foliage and the fruit. The
great struggling unknown masses of the men who are not the base of everything
are the dynamic force that is lifting the level of society. A nation is as
great and only as great as her rank and file.”
May I submit my
plea to you, youths blossoming forth from this institution, be firm but not
obstinate, let here be a blending of ideas, but never cheap imitation and
injurious adulteration, beware of mistaking obsessions for principles and fads
for facts, strike at a synthesis and avoid subservience, view as the final on
to protest against injustice but project not your own view as the final one,
forget not the ancient saying
“f‰wJif« k©zsî
fšyh Jyfsî”
And father not
when you practice what you profess.
University
education gives you the basic needs for this stupendous task, but that is not
enough. Say along
I read, I study
I examine, I
listen
I reflect, and
out of
All this, I try
to form
An idea in which
I can put as
Much of
commonsense
As I can.
And remember the
longest journey is the journey inward, and since graduation is but the starting
point of that journey, I wish you success-reach the goal yourselves-teach
others to march towards the goal and let that goal be,
A world without
the
beggar’s
out-stretched
palm, the
miser’s
heartless, stony
stare,
the piteous wail
of
want, the pallid
face
of crime, the
livid lips of
lies,
the cruel eyes
of scorn,
A race without
disease of flesh
or
brain, shapely
and
fair, the
married
harmony of form
and
use-where
life lengthens,
fear
dies, joy
deepens,
love
intensifies, and
Man regains his
Dignity.
And to get these
things realized, let us one and all strive towards the ideal enunciated by
Thiruvalluvar,
“cWgáí« Xth¥
ãÂí« brWgifí«
nruh âaštJ ehL”
I am confident
that you are being sent into the wide world by the Annamalai University
with this objective-you are bound to win, for you are adequately equipped with
the spirit supplied by this great institution. May your life be a bright one,
and may its luster brighten the entire land! Accept my congratulations and
march onwards, towards the land of smiles.
[Annamalai University Convocation Address of Tamilnadu
Chief Minister C.N.Annadurai on 18.11.1967]
The dispersal of Tamils around the globe is not of recent origin and at the moment there are seventy million of them spread in over fifty countries of the world. The Tamil diaspora is a growing togetherness of more than seventy million people living in many lands and across distant seas, many thousands as refugees and asylum seekers. It is a togetherness rooted in an ancient heritage, a rich language and literature, and a vibrant culture. But it is a togetherness which is not simply a function of the past. It is a growing togetherness consolidated by struggle and suffering and given purpose and direction by the aspirations of a people for the future – a future where they and their children and their childrens’ children may live in equality and freedom in an emerging one world.
Sri Veerama Kaliamman Temple. Singapore
SEYCHELLES, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, has a Tamil history of about 230 years. A shipload of migrants landed here in 1770, composed of diverse ethnicity, out of whom five were Tamils from Mauritius/Reunion. Tamil traders from Pondicherry used to visit for purposes of timber trade followed by settlements of Tamils from Tamil Nadu for trading purposes. Later, a trading community was in place here, mainly of Tamils, and many of them got integrated with the local community. Now there about 4000 Tamils in trading as well as in the professions. The organization of the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam in 1984 and the building of the first and only Navasakthi Vinayagar temple brought together all the Tamils to further consolidate and nurture their cultural and religious links. The annual Kavadi festival is a major event which is a government holiday for all Hindus. Cultural troupes are invited from time to time to enhance cultural values and links. The organization of the Seychelles Hindu Council, celebration of Deepavali festival on a national scale and the setting up of a crematorium with government support are events worthy of note. The Tamil Cultural Development centre conducting Tamil classes with the support of the Indian High Commission, the Seychelles Tamil Manram with its periodical publication of the Tamil Murasu and contributions and advertisements in Tamil in the national daily are factors contributing to keep the language and culture alive in this country.
NEW ZEALAND has about 3,000 Tamils, mostly professionals who have migrated on their own. Attempts are being made to construct Hindu temples and consolidate their cultural and religious links.
TRINIDAD and TOBAGO in the Caribbeanhas had Tamils since 1840 and there was a place called Madras settlement near the airport. They were all plantation workers. There was a Siva temple called the "Madras Sivalayam" or the Canra road temple. There was a priest from Gopichettipalayam in 1910. The Deepavali celebration by the Tamils there displayed extraordinary pluralism, but over the years the people have lost their knowledge of Tamil. Yet, the Tamils over there moved from servitude to resistance and finally to freedom and were able to retain their self-dignity, preserve and enhance their culture and enrich themselves.
