July 4, 2012
Chief Minister at convocation and foundation day ceremony of Vivekananda University at Belur Math; donates 1-crore rupees
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee attended the convocation and foundation day ceremony of Vivekananda University at Belur Math in Howrah.The programme began with the chanting of `stotra`. People were seen thronging the road to have a glimpse of their favourite Didi and Ms. Banerjee too did not disappoint them and reciprocated their good wishes by shaking hands and exchanging greetings.
Speaking on this occasion, Ms. Banerjee said that her government would look into the request to exempt the Ramakrishna Mission from School Service Examinations, `I assure you of full cooperation and we will take up the request to exempt you from taking candidates from School Service Examinations. I agree that those who want to take up a job in the educational institutes run by the Ramakrishna Mission must poses certain determination and dedication. I feel that you should be in position to decide and select the candidates`. The Chief Minister reiterated that the standards of these educational institutes are not only the best in the country but across the world. `I have already gone through the case and am aware of your long struggle over this issue. I will see that this is done`, added Ms. Banerjee.
Ms. Mamata Banerjee assured that she will always available and would consider get fortune to serve the Ramakrishna Mission whenever her services are needed, `Please do not hesitate to call me if you require and feel that I can be of some help. I will be more than happy to be a part of work of such huge magnitude`.
Ms. Mamata Banerjee also stressed on the need of character building and referred to the famous saying of Swami Vivekananda where he had put great emphasis over the character building, `There is a need to read more of Swami Vivekananda and will come to know of this thinking and ideologies`.
Chief Minister stressed on the need to read Swamiji as only then young minds will be driven to fresh and good thinking which will enable a new society to emerge. People will forget all the discrepancies over the caste and religion. `If you recall Swami Vivekananda who did not hesitate to share the `hukkah` (puffing tobacco) from the person belonging to lower caste, when asked he said, `How would I know which is lower or upper caste unless I myself taste both and I am trying to figure out the differences by sharing the same`. Ms. Banerjee comparing the thinking of great people said, `If you look at the saying of Kazi Nazrul Islam who said similar thing, `Jati r naam bodjati shob, jaat jaliyati dekhchey khela` (all wrong doings are practiced in the name of religion and the so-called religious people watch it by becoming a mute spectator). Chief Minister said, `If we take close look then we find that all big people had said the same thing in their own versions`.
Chief Minister also reiterated that steps should be taken to build impart teaching in such a way that will create good human beings. `It is very important that we indulge in creating good human being as it is not an easy task, all educated are not good human being and to do that we need to inculcate fresh and good ideologies among the children`. Ms. Banerjee stressed on the need to take special care and give more attentions to the education of the women. Quoting the famous saying from Swamiji, `Na jagile Bharot lolona, e Bharot jagena jagena` (India will not arise unless and until the women of India awake), Chief Minister said, `This is the words of the great saint and I feel what else I can add but just request you all to continue doing whatever you are doing as I am all in appreciation for your work`.
Chief Minister donated a cheque of one-crore to the Ramakrishna Mission Math for the development programmes.
