21st century belongs to India, says H.K. Dua

21st century belongs to India, says H.K. Dua
Tribune News Service

Mohali, February 14
“If the 20th century is considered to be the American century there is no reason why the 21st century cannot be the Indian century. I see a hope for a brighter tomorrow and the images of a new India in today’s children,” said Mr H.K. Dua, Editor-in-Chief, The Tribune, at the 25th Founders Day celebrations of Yadavindra Public School here today.

Mr Dua was the chief guest at the school’s silver jubilee function. Over 150 students were awarded for their achievements at the prize distribution function.

In his address, Mr Dua pointed out that the 21st century was an important point in the life of the nation and its people. ‘‘I hope that future generations will not only set things right but also shoulder the responsibility of taking the nation forward,’’ he said.

‘‘The future to a large extent depend on what these children have inherited from us. India has been a free country for 56 years and we owe it to the generation before us who, fired with idealism and a spirit of sacrifice, fought the mighty British empire. With Independence came the happiness and the pain in the form of the Partition. But there was hope and there was a gigantic task to rebuild India. But recent times have seen a decline despite progress. A decline in values and idealism with cynicism and despair setting in,’’ he said.

‘‘It is now for the future generations to reaffirm the faith and achieve the goals that we had set. I can see that spark and in the next generation there is reason for hope for the country. One can look towards the students of YPS and other such schools to provide leadership to build India of the 21st century.’’

Exhorting students to contribute positively to society, Mr Dua suggested that each student should teach the basics to an illiterate. ‘‘It could be the servant’s child, the gardener’s son or even an adult. If you are able to teach him some basics, it will be like changing person’s life. Secondly, each one of us should plant a sapling every year, maintain it and see it grow. This will help the nation’s economy and make it greener. This does not require much effort and no way clashes with the careers,’’ he said.

Earlier, school students — Mannat, Jaipreet, Nehmat and Kanwal — read out the school’s achievement report. Mrs Komal Singh, a lecturer, asked the parents to spend more time with their children and be honest with them.

The School Principal, Dr Harish Dhillon, earlier welcomed the school board members, the chief guest and the parents.

Mr Dua gave away prizes to the winners of the various academic and extra-curricular competitions.

The prize winners included Gursimrat, Baani, Ravtej of Class I; Aashna, Abhay, Arjun of Class II; Prabhleen, Harsimrat, Sahil of Class III; Saransh, Ashish, Prabhjot of Class IV; Prabhroohan, Shashwat, Aastha of Class V; Sukrit, Himmat, Dhriti of Class VI; Ravinder, Roopam, Jasleen of Class VII, Ripudaman, Vijay, Vinay of Class VIII; Anuj, Gurtej, Sarthak of Class IX and Abhinav, Pavitter, Nehmat of Class XI.

Shibani, Ameekul, Savleen, Aikum, Komal and Naveen won prizes for music while Ajay, Tarini and Dilawar won prizes in art and Simran, Vrindha and Suraj won prizes for craftwork.

Jashan Uppal and Bharat Bhushan Saini lifted the Air Force trophy for the best all-round student of Class VIII while Sikander Sharda and Samridhi Rana secured the Mrinal Dutta memorial trophy for the best all-round student of Class III and Simar Puneet Gupta lifted the Bharat Gupta memorial trophy for the best orator of the school.

Bharmleen Kaur bagged the medal for the best result 2003 in the ICSE and shared the Badhaur medal with Arjun Singh Channi for the best all-round student of Class X. Gagandeep Singh won the medal for standing first in the ISC examination in the non-medical group, Amaninder Singh Mann in the medical group and Simar Grewal in the commerce group. Sahira Bhullar got the medal for the best all-round student of Class XII.