THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI

• Chairman,   Managing Committee, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul (Retd.),

• MLA, R.K, Puram, Shri Anil Kumar Sharma,

• President, Board of Trustees, Smt. Mira Pradeep Singh,

• Secretary, Board of Trustees, Smt. Ambika Pant,

• Principal, Modern School, Smt. Vibha Khosla,

• Distinguished members of the management, teachers, guests, parents, and my dear students

Founder’s Day, is an occasion to reflect, on what education means, beyond the classroom. It is about, the knowledge, students acquire, the character they develop,

the questions they learn to ask, and the contribution, they eventually make, to society.

Established in 1975, Modern School, Vasant Vihar, carries forward, the educational vision of Lala Raghubir Singh, who founded Modern School, Barakhamba Road, in 1920. That vision, sought to bring together, Indian cultural values, and progressive education.

Its association with, the wider Modern School legacy, reflects an important principle— education must bring together, the best of our cultural inheritance, and the possibilities, of a changing world. I congratulate the school, management, teachers, parents, alumni, and students, on continuing this tradition.

But the real significance, of an institution, lies not only, in its history, or the accomplishments, of its alumni. It lies, in the young people, it prepares for the future. And that future, is changing rapidly.

We are living through, a period of extraordinary technological, and social transformation. Artificial intelligence, is changing, how we work, communicate, and access information. Scientific advances, are creating possibilities, that were difficult, to imagine, a generation ago. At the same time, climate change, global uncertainty, and rapid economic shifts, are presenting, new challenges.

In this environment, the purpose of education, cannot be limited,  to  preparing  students, for examinations or

particular careers. It must prepare them, to think independently, adapt to change, and make sound decisions, in situations, for which, there may be no ready-made answers.

Dear students, I would like to share, three thoughts, with you.

First, learn to think, not merely to know. Information, is increasingly available, at our fingertips, but information alone, is not understanding. As our Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji has emphasised, the essential skills, for the 21st century, include, “Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Curiosity, and Communication.” These are precisely the abilities, that will

help you examine evidence, question assumptions, distinguish fact, from opinion, and consider different perspectives.

Second, value character, as much as achievement. Success matters, and ambition is important. But the manner, in which you pursue success, matters, just as much. Integrity means, doing what is right, even when, it is inconvenient, or when nobody is watching.

Third, learn to see success, in terms of contribution, not just, personal advancement. You will have different ambitions. Some of you may enter, public service, others business, science, technology, the armed forces, the arts, or fields, that do not, yet exist. Whatever path you choose,
 

ask yourself, how your knowledge, and abilities, can make a meaningful difference.

These lessons, are particularly relevant, to India today. Our country, has a young population, growing technology capabilities, and expanding opportunities. India’s progress will depend, on the quality, of its human capital, the strength of its institutions, and the creativity, of its people. But national development, is not simply, an economic objective. It also requires, responsible citizenship, respect for constitutional values, an appreciation of our diversity, and a commitment to the common good.

As the national capital, Delhi brings together, people from   different   regions,   languages,   and   cultural

backgrounds. For students, this diversity, offers an opportunity, to learn something, that no textbook, can fully teach— how to engage, with people, whose experiences, and perspectives, differ from their own.

I would also encourage you, to make full use of opportunities, beyond academic study. Participate in sport, pursue music and the arts, engage in scientific projects, read widely and contribute to community initiatives.

These experiences teach resilience, collaboration, creativity and responsibility. They also help you to discover, interests and strengths, that a conventional academic setting, may not always reveal.

In an age, of constant digital engagement, make time for reflection as well. Technology, can expand your horizons, but it can also compete, for your attention. Learn to use it purposefully.

Teachers and parents, have a vital role, in this journey. They provide guidance, encouragement, and the foundation, on which, young people build, their confidence.

Dear students, you are entering a world, in which, many of the opportunities, and challenges, you will encounter, are still taking shape. Nobody can predict, every skill you will need, or every profession, you may pursue. But you can prepare, yourselves, by remaining curious, developing sound  judgment,  treating  people  with  respect,  and

approaching your responsibilities, with integrity. These qualities, will remain valuable, even as technologies, industries, and circumstances change.

As we mark Founder’s Day, let us remember, that the ultimate achievement, of a school is, not simply, the success of its students, while they are on campus.

It is the difference, they make after, they leave it. May you carry forward, the knowledge, you gain here, the values, you develop here, and the confidence, to use, both in the service, of something larger, than yourselves.