‘Swayameva Guru - Self is the teacher: Prof Varakhedi

Jyoti Dasila receiving All India gold medal in PGDCA by Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi. Dr P Sivaswaroop looks on. (Right) Pawan Pandurang Wanjari, a visually challenged student receiving his BEd degree.

Staff Reporter :

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) had conducted its 33rd convocation, by awarding degrees/diplomas/certificates to 2,31,622 students. To help its students spread across the country, it is held through technology mediated tele-convocation at selected 39 Regional Centres and Nagpur is one among them. This programme is broadcast through Gyan Darshan TV Channel and broadcast through IGNOU website.

Through this learner-centric approach, students were given option to attend at their nearest Regional Centre. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Union Minister for Human Resource Development is the chief guest and delivered convocation address at IGNOU, New Delhi. Prof Nageshwar Rao, IGNOU Vice-Chancellor presented Vice Chancellor’s report. The Convocation at Nagpur was held at SHALOM Auditorium, Hislop College. Total 1,124 students were eligible to receive their degrees/diplomas. Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor, Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek was the guest of honour. Prof Varakhedi delivered the convocation address and distributed certificates to the students.

He also presented the Best Employee Award to S Senthil Raj, Assistant Registrar for his dedicated services to the University. Prof Varakhedi also felicitated the National Gold Medalist in PG Diploma in Analytical Chemistry Jyoti Dasila, who could not attend the Function at New Delhi to receive the Gold Medal. Profile 2019 of Nagpur Regional centre is also released on this occasion. Dr P Sivaswaroop, Regional Director stated that under ‘Gyan Ganga’ activities of ‘reaching the uncreached’ sections, centre conducted awareness meetings at various places including interior villages. As per Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, University has adopted 5 villages with four are in Kurkheda and Korchi Talukas of Gadchiroli District (an Aspirational District announced by NITI Ayog) and one in Nagpur Rural.

The Virtual Classroom for Student Prisoners has been continuing through Gyan Vani FM Radion Station. In association with other Institutions like VNIT, RTM Nagpur University, the Regional Centre has carried out Royal Society of Chemistry sponsored Teacher Training programmes and residential programmes for Zilla Parishad and Tribal School Children. Dr Sivaswaroop said four student prisoners of Nagpur Central Jail are eligible for Diploma in Management who will be awarded their Diplomas in a Special Function to be held in Jail. Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi in his address said education is for ‘making meaningful Life’ rather than ‘making living’. He stated the word ‘Shiksha’ means ‘acquiring the knowledge’ but not ‘transfer of knowledge’.

Prof Varakhedi said, “The ancient Indian education system emphasised on oral direct method of teaching, but never denied possibilities of Distance Learning.” He stated, “Swayameva Guru - Teacher is none other than the Self.” While quoting 11th Skandha of Bhagavatam, Prof Varakhedi referred an Avadhuta who said ‘the whole world is his Guru’. Prof Varakhedi stated, “If a Learner has interest to learn and an open mind, the entire Universe becomes an Open School.” Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi opined that for a geographically vast and highly populated country like India, campus isolated and classroom based education system is not sufficient.

Open and distance education system is the only option to reach out to the learners. In present day 5G technology, effect of direct learning is brought into open learning system and no more distance exists. He concluded for a village girl or a poor boy, by studying they earn not the degree, but dignity. The 33rd Convocation was hosted at Hislop College and Dr Prashant Shelke, Principal and others have extended all support for successful conduction of this programme.

The programme was attended by dignitaries like Dr Shankar Tatwavadi, Dr Ramesh Thakre, Dr P T Shukla, Dr R P Thakre, Dr K R Nagraj and Dr Vijender Kumar. The programme was conducted by Dr Rishi Agarwal, Coordinator of IGNOU Study Centre, Hislop College and Dr Razeka Khan. Dr Sasicoumar Brunot ARD is overall Incharge for the function and Dr Y Venkateswarlu, ARD proposed a vote of thanks. All the regional centre staff and Dr Shubhajit Haldar, Assistant Coordinator of IGNOU Study Centre, Hislop College put in their efforts for this convocation function.