Vice-President inaugurates centenary celebrations – The Hindu

Education must go beyond textbooks and cultivate critical thinking, empathy, resilience, and integrity, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan has said here on Sunday. Inaugurating the centenary celebrations of St. Stephen’s Higher Secondary School in Pathanapuram, he added that the completion of 100 years is a remarkable milestone achieved by very few institutions. The Vice-President urged students to say no to drugs and described substance abuse as one of the biggest curses afflicting society. “The campaign against drug use must become a mass movement cutting across religions, languages, and political parties,” he said.

The Vice-President observed that the India of 2047 will be shaped by the ideas and initiatives of today’s students. He called upon them to seek not just personal success but also to create a positive impact on society. Describing the centenary as a time of renewal, he expressed hope that as the school enters its second century, it will embrace modern educational advancements while remaining rooted in its moral and cultural foundations. Highlighting Kerala’s strong emphasis on education and social development, the Vice-President noted that institutions like St. Stephen’s Higher Secondary School have significantly contributed to the State’s educational reputation.

The Vice President also paid floral tributes at the holy tomb of the Four Metropolitans located at Mount Tabor Dayara in Pathanapuram. The centenary celebrations were attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar; Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas & Tourism Suresh Gopi; Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar; Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal; Kodikunnil Suresh, MP; Catholicos of the East, Baselios Marthoma Mathews III Metropolitan and others.