Dr. Ananth Ram was welcomed to the programme with the rhythmic chanting of Veda mantras by the students in the guidance of Ms. Kamakshi, the spiritual teacher. The student secretary of VAG Army, Ms. Meghana Vastrad of class IX introduced Dr. K. Ananth Ram to the gathering on behalf of VAG India Trust. The VAG Army Pragyana student leader Mr. Darur Bhuvan Sai of class VIII felicitated the guest with a flower bouquet as a token of love and respect.

Dr. Ananth Ram initiated the programme with a devotional and melodious bhajan by involving students - ‘Anjaneya Vandipeneyya, Anjikeya Pariharisayya ...’. He appreciated the management for training the students in Vedic Culture along with the regular academic activities.

In his speech, Dr. Ananth Ram explained that Vidyarthi means Vidya plus Arthi. So, a student must seek or beg knowledge all the time from various sources. Knowledge is an important and precious resource. It is the light, life and energetic resource. Like a lamp of light that fills a home with brightness, knowledge fills our minds with wisdom. Knowledge cannot be stolen; none can occupy it like land; none can share it like money; yet, the wealth of knowledge increases as much as one keep spending (using/applying) it.

He, analysing the intelligence, said, intelligence (Budhi) alone without intellectuality (Viveka) is meaningless. So, he suggested that a student must cultivate the five main characteristics namely shuno-nidra, baka-dhyana, kaaka-cheshta, mita-aahara, griha-thyagi in order to achieve intellectuality (Viveka) and excellence in all phases of life and hence, students can acquire name and fame in society.

He persuaded that one should possess life skills rather than mere bookish knowledge. One should keep learning lessons from the experiences of one’s life. Further, he clarified that ‘marks’ alone are not important for a student but living without any negative remarks in life is very crucial.

He highlighted the importance and necessity of unity among people. He said that we all should live united, so that we can overcome all types of problems boldly. We should have the quality of Patriotism among us which is the vitamin for the unity and integrity of a nation. One should have gratitude and devotion for his motherland. In this instance, he shared a Hindi poem entitled ‘Desire of a Flower – (Phool Ki Chaah)’. The flower neither wants to remain like a decorative item nor like a tool for worshipping the God, but it wishes alone to lie on the path of the warriors, the soldiers who fight for freedom of the motherland and prepared to sacrifice their lives too.

He wonderfully explained that a family plays a vital role in education. He gave the meaning of FAMILY very strangely but suitably as F = Father; A = And; M = Mother; I = I; L = Love; Y = You. Thus, FAMILY is nothing but Father And Mother I Love You’. He quoted Swami Vivekananda’s lines that ‘Dress makes a Person Gentleman in the western culture whereas in India Character makes a Person Gentle.’ Therefore, one should have ethics.

His speech was very much impressive on students and passionate as it was continued in a jovial and pleasant manner.

At the end, our Pragyana wing Incharge teacher Mr. Shashidhara proposed vote of thanks.   

It was indeed a fun-filled day with a “smile” on every ones face.