Examinations then and now

19 March 1984, Prasanthi Nilayam

Professor Kasturi's English.

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FOR every man the development of his personality is a primary duty. The Samskrith word for "Personality" is marked by (vitality and heroism). This is not found in everybody. It is revealed only in outstanding persons, who have made a mark in history. The , which is the textbook on (righteousness) for the , describes 's personality as the product of character, morality and adherence to truth. Emperor was another great personality in history.

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It is derived from the Samskrith word "", which describes the divine origin of the individual. Hence, the primary purpose of education must be to make the individual develop his personality by the pursuit of spiritual and moral disciplines. Education is thus a process through which man is led to his highest status. It is the failure to infuse education with ethical content that is responsible for the futility of education to-day.

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Teachers should regard their profession as one in which they not only teach but also continuously learn more and more about the subject that they have to deal with. It should be like the battery in a car which gets charged when the car is running. University teachers, especially those serving in the Institute, have to bear in mind certain important obligations. The foremost among them is the eschewing of involvement in politics. A great national leader like , who played a key role in the national struggle was a teacher in a High School at . When he was asked, what ministerial position he would like to have when India became free, he replied that he would continue to remain a teacher and not seek any ministerial job. The proper training of young men who might become future ministers was, in his view, a more important job than being; a minister himself. This showed 's spirit of sacrifice and devotion to the national interest.