Speech of Mr. Sankar Halder on the Occasion of 17th TSS Program

First of all, I would like to thank all the TSS students who have come to attend the 17^th Annual program of TSS. They have defied thousands of obstacles to pursue their dreams, which is impossible to achieve without true talent.

I am proud of Supriya, Aamir Hamza and some other alumni TSS students who, after establishing themselves, have extended their helping hand to other underprivileged students. If a student does not study well, if a child goes astray, the responsibility lies not only with the parents, but also with the teachers. If the students we are helping don’t come back and help other students in need, then it reflects our inability.

From my experience I can share with you that I also grew up with such support and then came back to the village and tried to help the deprived people to the best of my ability. But there are quite a few people who don’t do it. What could be the reason? Our feelings are the reason behind it. According to human nature – if a person helps someone, then his mind expands; he becomes happy and shares that happiness with everyone. But if he receives help, then his mind becomes narrow and he hides himself in shame.

There is nothing wrong in receiving help. But it may happen that the one who is taking help thinks that poverty is his curse. He thinks he has no right to claim help, yet he is indebted to the donor. From this attitude he hides.

There are many such suffering yet brilliant students present here who dream to grow up and settle down in life –is that their crime? It is our duty to support and guide them towards their dreams.

Irrespective of whether it is the parents, society, or civilization – it is everyone’s duty, born from a sense of responsibility that every child should get a minimum education, and we will stand by them. To quote Bal Gangadhar Tilak, “Education is the birthright of all”. So, when Mukti helps a student, it is not a donation – it is the student’s right. It is also a duty for Mukti.

When a child is brought up by its parents, they are fulfilling their duty to their child and not practicing charity. Similarly, the students should have a similar feeling towards society. When one sees their parents working tirelessly to raise them, then surely, they think that they will take care of them when they grow up. Likewise, when you see that people are making sacrifices and extending a hand of help, then this feeling will awaken in you to come back and help some students who are more distressed. You will come back on your own.

I discourage students from getting involved in social activities soon after establishing themselves, because TSS students all belong to poor families. In the first few years after financial independence, they will satisfy their desires, be happy and stand by their families. Only then they can help more people in society, because if they themselves are not happy, they cannot make others happy. He who hurts his own family, who does not take care of his extended family, but is doing social work in the larger social context, I call him a seller of social work.

Mukti’s well wisher and Chief Executive Officer of a software company Mr. Pradeep Chandra says there is no substitute for hard work. You have to work hard, whether you have talent or not. Each of us has our own talents. We have to develop them through regular practice.

Our education system and industrial civilizations are designed in such a way that they require people who have English and numerical skills. That is the definition of their talent. Education should be holistic and the aim of education should be to bring out the diverse talents that are present in each student. If it is not, then it is not an educational system; it is only producing artistic talent. Unfortunately, we are unknowingly supporting it.

Mukti is not only about Sankar Halder. Sankar Haldar is only a part of Mukti. About 1,200 volunteers spread across the country and abroad are associated with Mukti and are working silently. They are like my teachers; their activities keep this organization going. I’ve rarely seen people as humble and non-self-promoting as they are.

Mr. Niladri Nath Bagchi – one of the sponsor of TSS has been working with us for 8-10 years now, supporting countless students. He said poverty is an opportunity. Ups and downs are inevitable in life, and poverty is an integral part of it. 80%-85% of the world’s famous scientists, doctors, writers etc. have grown up in poverty. Children growing up in poverty can achieve great goals if they are guided in the right way.

Mr. Devarshi Saha – CSR of Srijan Realty Pvt. Ltd.  talked about corruption free India. Corruption is present at all levels of society – from politicians to doctors, teachers, students and even we knowingly or unknowingly are victims of corruption. Corruption also includes evasion of rules. In order to deal with corruption and make India corruption free, students should move forward under whichever leadership society finds itself.

Amir Hamza is a great example of an ideal citizen. He is an alumni student of TSS, sponsored by Mr. Snehomoy Bhattacharya. Aamir is now a doctor. He has come back to Mukti and is now sponsoring 2 students – Shreya Mondal and Krishnachandra Mondal. Amir Hamza himself is the answer to many questions.

According to Mr. Chandan Kumar Maity – Headmaster of Krishnachandrapur High School and General Secretary of ASFHM, the education system has become completely corrupted. Private tuition is not necessary if the school provides comprehensive education. Due to the loopholes in the education system, a student has to take the help of private tutors in addition to studying at school. So where is the school’s contribution to creating future leaders?

Industry is using students. Capability of students is decided by industry. I would advise students to be intelligent enough so that they can use industry.

Mr. Tarun Naskar – Prof of JU and Ex MLA and member of education streaming commitee made an important point, that students don’t have to be in politics but it is important to have awareness of politics. No matter where we look–the health system, education system, livelihood – all these are politicized. So, it is essential to have a clear understanding of transparent politics.

Education cannot be sold. If it is, then the society that will be created will only point towards destruction. The rationale behind the TSS program is that you, the foundation of the system, are able to bring your talent to its rightful place.

At the end of my speech, I will say that you should encourage your children to play outside. Encourage them to do regular physical exercises like yoga, as otherwise they will suffer from health-related issues by 30-40 years of age. I am appealing to those who are studying anatomy and physiology here to connect it with yoga. I appeal to you to design yoga poses for students that stand the test of anatomy, science and physiology.

Students, remove your narrow mindedness. We do our duty and you take it as your right. We’re not doing you a favor. I hope you will acquire true education and come back to us again. I announce the end of this meeting by thanking you all.