Thankful as I am for the unique honour conferred on me by this institution. I stand before this august assembly today 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 appropriate guidelines before them.
The fact that I am conscious of my own limitations gives me a sense of relief, for I shall not attempt to offer original ideas or theories with a special stamp, but only reiterate some of the cardinal principles enunciated by those who offered their 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 is 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. 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 lords 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 in turn was to be converted into dazzling garments for the select and the privileged.
The role of the University today 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 trim and train, guide and lead him, before being 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 origin of a potential ruler and the duty today, the responsibility today of the universities is to fashion out of him an individual fitted and equipped for the task of making democracy fruitful and effective.
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 others’ 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 recall the struggles of the past and realize the perils and possibilities, the challenges and opportunities, of the present.”
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, may I ask you, how are you 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.
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 cooperation 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. Maybe, 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 path of ease and comfort.
But, we should also realize that a continuous stream of men and women endowed with the spirit of service have been carrying on the crusade successfully and have conferred rich benefits on humanity.
We, the Tamilians, have been holding aloft this ideal for more than two thousand years as expressed in Purananuru (182).
As inheritors of that rich legacy, you are best suited to overcome even the environment and serve society to the best of your abilities.
I am confident that you are being sent into the wide world. 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 lustre brighten the entire land! Accept my congratulations and march onwards, towards the land of smiles.
The Purananuru song conveys the philosophy of Tamilians. It celebrates the selfless spirit and courage of people who served society by sharing everything with their fellowmen, even something as precious and unique as the nectar of immortality. They would never do a wrong deed even if they were offered the world as a reward. It is because of such men that the world continues to exist.
Dr. Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai (15 September 1909 – 3 February 1969), popularly called Arignar Anna was an Indian politician who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1967 -1969). He was a great orator and an acclaimed writer in Tamil. Jawaharlal Nehru hailed him as one of the greatest parliamentarians. He has published several novels, short stories and plays which incorporate political and social themes. C.N. Annadurai was awarded the Chubb Fellowship at Yale University, the first non- American to receive this honour. The same year he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Annamalai University.