IBEX NEWS, Shimla.
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Rashtrapati Niwas, Shimla organized its 57th foundation day today i.e. 20th October 2022 at the Library Hall, of the Institute at 10:00 AM onwards. The Institute was established in 1964 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education and started functioning on October 20th,1965. The Institute is housed in a historic building which use to be the summer seat of the British Empire and witnessed many historic events. On this auspicious occasion Chairperson of the Institute Prof. shashi Prabha Kumar, Vice-Chairman Prof. Shailender Raj Mehta, Director Prof. Nageshwar Rao, librarian sh. Premchand, Fellows, National Fellows, Associates, Employees and distinguished guests were present. Dr.Subhas Sarkar, Hon’ble Minister for state for Education, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India was Chief Guest of the program and attended virtually/ through video conferencing/hybrid mode. Before the address of the Chief guest the program was inaugurated as per rituals (Lamp lighting) by the Chairperson of the Institute Prof. shashi Prabha Kumar, Vice-chairman Prof. Shalender Raj Mehta and Prof. Nageshwar Rao,Director of the Institute and introduced the Chief Guest.
Dr. Dr.Subhas Sarkar, Minister for state for Education, Ministry of Education, and Govt. of India, greeted and congratulated the Institute and said that In these 57 years of its establishment, the educational research journey that the Institute has undertaken, has come across many milestones of achievements which will remain memorable and significant for us.
This was a great thought of a renowned philosopher, thinker, scholar and 2nd President of India Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishanan to convert this building into an independent research centre known as IIAS.
He also said that the real identity of any organization is neither its building nor its walls, but always by its actions. He said that the purpose of education is to make good human beings which can be achieved through our teachers and Educational values’. The greatest event of our age is meeting with different cultures, identities, thinking’s and knowledge. This is the greatness of the Indian Knowledge system.
He said that the greatest achievement of 21st century is the new education policy which is a century of knowledge and Education. To become leaders economically and socially the higher educational Institutes like IIAS will have to focus on inter-disciplinary researches and researches based on industrial, vocational and professional trainings to actively participate in nation building. And the institutes like this (IIAS) can play a vital role in this regard because this is one of the best institutes and has always made the country proud which offers a great, independent and hassle free platform and environment for the people involved in research. The institute has a very rich library having more than 2,25000 titles on different subjects. There is no educational curriculum; no exams, no faculty and one can freely use his knowledge and mind. The outcome of the research is being used for the upliftment of the society and nation. The Institute has expanded its capabilities by adding Rabindranath Tagore centre for culture and civilization. In the end he quoted Swami Vivekananda’s lines:
“If you cry your tears will stop your eyes to see the stars”.
After the lecture of Hon’ble Minister the chairperson of the Institute Prof. Shashi Prabha Kumar congraluted and greeted everyone on the occasion of Foundation day. She focused on the importance of Education in our lives.
After the lecture of the chairperson a short drama based on the conversations on Dharma and Duty between Chhatarpati Shivaji Maharaj and The king of Jaipur Maharaja Jai Singh was performed by the employees and fellows of the Institute directed by Prof, Mahesh Champaklal, Tagore fellow at IIAS.
The Program was concluded with the Indian National Anthem.