Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday emphasised that education must transcend textbooks and nurture critical thinking, empathy, resilience, and integrity in students, while urging them to lead lives committed to social responsibility.
Speaking at the centenary celebrations of St Stephen’s Higher Secondary School in Pathanapuram, Radhakrishnan called the completion of 100 years a “remarkable milestone” achieved by very few institutions. He noted that the school has spent a century shaping minds, nurturing character, and producing generations of responsible citizens, professionals, and compassionate leaders.
“The true strength of an institution lies not in its infrastructure but in its values,” the Vice-President said. “Education must cultivate critical thinking, empathy, resilience, and integrity, preparing students for a rapidly changing world driven by technology and innovation.”
Radhakrishnan encouraged students to dream big, work hard, remain humble, and uphold the principles instilled by their school. He also highlighted the importance of saying “No to Drugs,” describing substance abuse as one of society’s greatest curses. He called for a mass movement against drug consumption, transcending religion, language, and politics.
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Referring to India’s national vision, the Vice-President linked the school’s legacy to the broader goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He stressed that the India of 2047 will be shaped by the ideas and initiatives of today’s students, urging them to seek not just personal success but societal impact.
“Healthy competition among political parties to serve society is a welcome development,” he added, highlighting the role of governance in nation-building.
Radhakrishnan also expressed hope that as the school enters its second century, it would embrace modern educational advancements while remaining rooted in moral and cultural foundations, continuing to produce both academic achievers and responsible citizens.
Kerala’s long-standing emphasis on education and social development, he noted, has been significantly bolstered by institutions like St Stephen’s, which have contributed to the state’s reputation for excellence in education.
The Vice-President later paid floral tributes at the holy tomb of the Four Metropolitans at Mount Tabor Dayara in Pathanapuram.
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